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 — that is 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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Find lindbergite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
