Gatedalite is an extremely rare lead manganese arsenite chloride mineral found almost exclusively in the famous Långban mines of Sweden. It typically occurs as small, resinous, yellowish tabular crystals embedded in manganese ore matrices. Collectors prize it for its unique chemistry and extreme rarity in the global market.
Is this gatedalite?
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 gatedalite with a known reference. Gatedalite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Gatedalite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Gatedalite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Gatedalite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Gatedalite leaves yellowish, Finnemanite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Gatedalite and adamantine on Finnemanite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Gatedalite leaves yellowish, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Gatedalite and adamantine on Mimetite.
Often found alongside gatedalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with gatedalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Mn(AsO₃)₂Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Iron-manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find gatedalite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban mine, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed iron-manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where gatedalite typically forms. If you start seeing långbanite, baryte, hausmannite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find gatedalite on the map
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