Jagoite is an exceptionally rare lead iron silicate mineral primarily known from the historic Långban mining district in Sweden. It typically forms small, yellow, transparent tabular crystals often found associated with other rare manganese-rich minerals in metamorphosed ore beds.
Is this jagoite?
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 jagoite with a known reference. Jagoite 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: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, shining on cleavages.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: aggregates, micaceous.
Often confused with
Jagoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Jagoite leaves yellow, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads vitreous, shining on cleavages on Jagoite and resinous to subadamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Jagoite leaves yellow, Pyromorphite leaves white; luster reads vitreous, shining on cleavages on Jagoite and resinous to subadamantine on Pyromorphite.
Often found alongside jagoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jagoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₁₈Fe₃Si₁₀O₃₀Cl₁₀
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 5.43 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous, shining on cleavages
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, micaceous
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In hematite ore in a metamorphosed Fe{Mn orebody
Where rockhounds find jagoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In hematite ore in a metamorphosed Fe{Mn orebody. If you start seeing melanotekite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, micaceous. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify jagoite?+
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Find jagoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
