Hyttsjöite is a rare lead-calcium-manganese silicate mineral found exclusively in the famous Långban mining district of Sweden. It typically occurs as small, delicate, yellow-brown tabular crystals embedded in skarn or iron-manganese ore environments. Due to its extreme rarity and locality-specific occurrence, it is highly sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors.
Is this hyttsjöite?
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 hyttsjöite with a known reference. Hyttsjöite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hyttsjöite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hyttsjöite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Hyttsjöite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Långbanite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3); streak differs — Hyttsjöite leaves yellow, Långbanite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Hyttsjöite and submetallic on Långbanite.
How to tell apart: Turneaureite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3); streak differs — Hyttsjöite leaves yellow, Turneaureite leaves white.
Often found alongside hyttsjöite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hyttsjöite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₁₈Ca₂Mn₂Cl₆(Si₆O₁₈)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.44 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Iron-manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find hyttsjöite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Filipstad, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed iron-manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where hyttsjöite typically forms. If you start seeing långbanite, hausmannite, baryte 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
How do you identify hyttsjöite?+
Where is hyttsjöite found?+
How much is hyttsjöite worth?+
Is hyttsjöite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like hyttsjöite?+
What minerals are found with hyttsjöite?+
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Find hyttsjöite on the map
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