Lindbergite is a rare manganese oxalate mineral that typically occurs as thin, powdery crusts or microscopic crystalline aggregates. It is most commonly found as a secondary mineral in granite pegmatites, often forming through the reaction of manganese-bearing minerals with organic acids. Due to its solubility and sensitive nature, it is primarily sought by advanced micromount collectors.
Is this lindbergite?
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 lindbergite with a known reference. Lindbergite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lindbergite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lindbergite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microcrystalline crusts, coatings, and efflorescences.
Often confused with
Lindbergite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lindbergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lindbergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn(C₂O₄)·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Microcrystalline Crusts, Coatings, And Efflorescences
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 for rare micro-specimens
Where rockhounds find lindbergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bendada pegmatite, Portugal
- Santa Isabel mine, Brazil
- Hagendorf, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where lindbergite typically forms. If you start seeing manganberzeliite, triplite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microcrystalline crusts, coatings, and efflorescences habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lindbergite?+
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How much is lindbergite worth?+
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Find lindbergite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
