Canutite is a rare sodium manganese arsenate mineral found as thin, platy crystals in oxidized manganese deposits. It is known primarily from the Torrecillas mine in Chile, where it forms in arid environments alongside various manganese minerals. Due to its arsenic content, specimens should be stored securely and handled with standard safety protocols.
Is this canutite?
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 canutite with a known reference. Canutite sits at Mohs ~2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale tan.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: reddish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Canutite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Tilasite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. ~2.5); streak differs, so Canutite leaves pale tan, Tilasite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Canutite and resinous, vitreous on cleavages on Tilasite.
How to tell apart: Berzeliite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. ~2.5); streak differs, so Canutite leaves pale tan, Berzeliite leaves nearly white to yellow-orange; luster reads vitreous on Canutite and resinous on Berzeliite.
Often found alongside canutite
Minerals reported to co-occur with canutite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na□MnMn₂(AsO₄)[AsO₃(OH)]₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~2.5
- Density
- 4.112 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale tan
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010} and {101}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral from the oxidation of native arsenic and other As-bearing primary phases, followed by later alteration by saline fluids derived from evaporating meteoric water under hyperarid conditions
Where rockhounds find canutite
Classic worldwide localities
- Torrecillas mine, Salar Grande, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral from the oxidation of native arsenic and other As-bearing primary phases, followed by later alteration by saline fluids derived from evaporating meteoric water under hyperarid conditions. If you start seeing anhydrite, halite, lavendulan in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify canutite?+
Where is canutite found?+
Is canutite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like canutite?+
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Find canutite on the map
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