Kanonerovite is a rare phosphate mineral primarily found in complex granite pegmatites. Collectors should look for its characteristic pale tabular crystals that often mimic the appearance of other manganese-bearing phosphates like fillowite.
Is this kanonerovite?
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 kanonerovite with a known reference. Kanonerovite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kanonerovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kanonerovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Kanonerovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kanonerovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kanonerovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₃Mn₄(PO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 3.58 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find kanonerovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Krasno mine (Czech Republic)
- Manganoan localities
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where kanonerovite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, apatite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kanonerovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
