Davreuxite is a rare manganese aluminum silicate typically found in low-grade metamorphic rocks. It usually appears as fine, needle-like or prismatic crystals often clustered in radial aggregates, primarily known from the Ardennes region of Belgium.

Hardness

6-7

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Davreuxite

Hardness: 6-7
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this davreuxite?

5-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 davreuxite with a known reference. Davreuxite sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Davreuxite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Davreuxite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, pink, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, fibrous.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside davreuxite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Mn²⁺Al₆Si₄O₁₇(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 6-7
Density: 3.32 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brown Pink Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Fibrous
Cleavage: Good in One Direction
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Manganese-rich Metamorphic Rocks
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find davreuxite

Classic worldwide localities

Ottré, Belgium
Ardennes, Belgium

Field-hunting tip

Look in manganese-rich metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where davreuxite typically forms. If you start seeing spessartine, quartz, chloritoid in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, fibrous habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify davreuxite?+

Mohs hardness is 6-7. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, brown, pink, colorless.

Where is davreuxite found?+

Notable localities include Ottré, Belgium; Ardennes, Belgium.

How much is davreuxite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like davreuxite?+

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

What minerals are found with davreuxite?+

Davreuxite commonly co-occurs with Spessartine, Quartz, Chloritoid. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does davreuxite form in?+

Davreuxite typically forms in manganese-rich metamorphic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is davreuxite used for?+

Davreuxite is used in collector.

Find davreuxite on the map

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