Dixenite is a rare arsenosilicate mineral typically found in metamorphic manganese deposits. It is best identified by its deep red color, perfect basal cleavage, and close association with other manganese minerals from the classic Långban mining district.
Is this dixenite?
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 dixenite with a known reference. Dixenite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brownish-red.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic to resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: foliated.
Often confused with
Dixenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Hematite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3-4); streak differs, so Dixenite leaves brownish-red, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Dixenite leaves brownish-red, Cinnabar leaves scarlet; luster reads metallic to resinous on Dixenite and adamantine, inclining to metallic when dark; dull in friable material on Cinnabar.
Often found alongside dixenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dixenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuMn₁₄Fe(AsO₃)₅(SiO₄)₂(AsO₄)(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.36 g/cm³
- Streak
- Brownish-red
- Luster
- Metallic to resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Foliated
- Cleavage
- Perfect, basal micaceous
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a metamorphosed Fe{Mn orebody in serpentine
Where rockhounds find dixenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a metamorphosed Fe{Mn orebody in serpentine. If you start seeing hematite, adelite, lead in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: foliated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify dixenite?+
Where is dixenite found?+
Is dixenite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like dixenite?+
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Find dixenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
