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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, skeletal.
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 6.5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Hyttsjöite leaves white, Långbanite leaves dark reddish brown; luster reads adamantine on Hyttsjöite and metallic, brilliant on Långbanite.
How to tell apart: Turneaureite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3); luster reads adamantine on Hyttsjöite and vitreous to slightly greasy on Turneaureite.
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
- Pb₁₈Ba₂Ca₅Mn₂Fe₂Si₃₀O₉₀Cl·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 5.09 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals, skeletal
- Cleavage
- Good on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a manganese-rich skarn
Where rockhounds find hyttsjöite
Classic worldwide localities
- The Langban Mines, Filipstad district, Varmland, Sweden (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a manganese-rich skarn. If you start seeing långbanite, hausmannite, baryte in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, skeletal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hyttsjöite?+
Where is hyttsjöite found?+
Is hyttsjöite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like hyttsjöite?+
What minerals are found with hyttsjöite?+
What kind of rock does hyttsjöite form in?+
What is hyttsjöite used for?+
Find hyttsjöite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
