Hansesmarkite is a very rare manganese calcium silicate mineral occurring in phosphate-rich granitic pegmatites. It typically forms as delicate, platy crystals or radiating sprays and is primarily valued by advanced micromount collectors due to its extreme scarcity.
Is this hansesmarkite?
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 hansesmarkite with a known reference. Hansesmarkite 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. Hansesmarkite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hansesmarkite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Hansesmarkite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside hansesmarkite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hansesmarkite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMn₂Si₂O₇(OH)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find hansesmarkite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where hansesmarkite typically forms. If you start seeing hagendorfite, triphylite, rockbridgeite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hansesmarkite?+
Where is hansesmarkite found?+
How much is hansesmarkite worth?+
What rocks look like hansesmarkite?+
What minerals are found with hansesmarkite?+
What kind of rock does hansesmarkite form in?+
What is hansesmarkite used for?+
Find hansesmarkite on the map
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