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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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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