Ericssonite is an extremely rare barium manganese silicate mineral typically found in metamorphic manganese deposits. It usually appears as dark brown to black tabular crystals, often forming thin, platy clusters in association with other manganese minerals.
Is this ericssonite?
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 ericssonite with a known reference. Ericssonite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ericssonite leaves a light brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ericssonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, platy aggregates.
Often confused with
Ericssonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Ericssonite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 2-3); streak differs — Ericssonite leaves light brown, Lamprophyllite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Ericssonite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 3-4); streak differs — Ericssonite leaves light brown, Barytolamprophyllite leaves yellowish; luster reads vitreous on Ericssonite and pearly on Barytolamprophyllite.
Often found alongside ericssonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ericssonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaMn₂Fe³⁺Si₂O₇(OH,O)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Platy Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find ericssonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed manganese deposits country — that is the host setting where ericssonite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, baryte, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, platy aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ericssonite on the map
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