Bridgmanite is the most abundant mineral in Earth, making up the majority of the lower mantle, but it is extremely rare at the surface. It is primarily found as microscopic inclusions within shock-metamorphosed meteorites that originated from the deep mantle of terrestrial bodies. It is a high-pressure polymorph of silicate perovskite that requires extreme conditions to exist.
Is this bridgmanite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch bridgmanite with a known reference. Bridgmanite sits at Mohs 6-6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bridgmanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bridgmanite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, yellow-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Bridgmanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bridgmanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bridgmanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Fe)SiO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 6-6.5
- Density
- 4.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Scientific Study, Collector
- Host rock
- Deep Mantle-derived Meteorites
- Typical price
- N/A - museum research grade
Where rockhounds find bridgmanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tenham meteorite
- Suizhou meteorite
Field-hunting tip
Look in deep mantle-derived meteorites country — that is the host setting where bridgmanite typically forms. If you start seeing ringwoodite, wadsleyite, ferropericlase in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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How much is bridgmanite worth?+
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Find bridgmanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
