Browneite is an extremely rare manganese sulfide mineral that was first identified in the Kaidun meteorite. It occurs as microscopic grains within extraterrestrial chondritic material and is of great interest to planetary scientists and mineralogists studying meteorite composition.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareMnS Mineral Group family

Browneite

Hardness: 3-4
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this browneite?

3-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch browneite with a known reference. Browneite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellowish brown.
3
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.

Often confused with

Browneite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside browneite

Minerals reported to co-occur with browneite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: MnS
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 3.291 g/cm³
Colors: Yellowish brown
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Anhedral grains
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In an enstatite-rich achondrite meteorite, postdates the impact melting and subsequent crystallization of an enstatite-rich rock

Where rockhounds find browneite

Classic worldwide localities

Kaidun meteorite

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In an enstatite-rich achondrite meteorite, postdates the impact melting and subsequent crystallization of an enstatite-rich rock. If you start seeing plagioclase, enstatite, troilite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify browneite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. Common colors include yellowish brown.

Where is browneite found?+

Notable localities include Kaidun meteorite.

What rocks look like browneite?+

Browneite is most often confused with Alabandite, Sphalerite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with browneite?+

Browneite commonly co-occurs with Plagioclase, Enstatite, Troilite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does browneite form in?+

Where it forms: In an enstatite-rich achondrite meteorite, postdates the impact melting and subsequent crystallization of an enstatite-rich rock. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is browneite used for?+

Browneite is used in collector.

Find browneite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.