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 — that is 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
How do you identify kanonerovite?+
Where is kanonerovite found?+
How much is kanonerovite worth?+
What rocks look like kanonerovite?+
What minerals are found with kanonerovite?+
What kind of rock does kanonerovite form in?+
What is kanonerovite used for?+
Find kanonerovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
