Innsbruckite is an extremely rare manganese silicate mineral first identified in the Innsbruck region of Austria. It is typically found as small, tabular monoclinic crystals in metamorphic environments and is primarily valued by advanced mineralogists for its scarcity.
Is this innsbruckite?
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 innsbruckite with a known reference. Innsbruckite 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. Innsbruckite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Innsbruckite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Innsbruckite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside innsbruckite
Minerals reported to co-occur with innsbruckite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn₃Si₂O₆(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 2.88 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- expensive and rarely available
Where rockhounds find innsbruckite
Classic worldwide localities
- Innsbruck, Austria
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where innsbruckite typically forms. If you start seeing manganese minerals, quartz 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
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Find innsbruckite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
