Hiärneite is an extremely rare complex tin-titanium oxide mineral discovered in the Långban mining district of Sweden. It typically occurs as small anhedral grains associated with high-grade manganese ores, making it a highly sought-after species for specialized micromount collectors.
Is this hiärneite?
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 hiärneite with a known reference. Hiärneite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hiärneite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hiärneite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Hiärneite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hiärneite leaves yellow, Perovskite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Hiärneite and adamantine on Perovskite.
How to tell apart: Hiärneite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Hiärneite leaves yellow, Stannite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Hiärneite and metallic on Stannite.
Often found alongside hiärneite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hiärneite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,Mn,Mg)Sn(Ti,Fe,Mn)₂O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.56 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Manganese Ore Deposit
- Typical price
- $100-500+ for micros
Where rockhounds find hiärneite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed manganese ore deposit country, the host setting where hiärneite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, magnetite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hiärneite on the map
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