Magnesiohögbomite-6N6S is a rare complex oxide mineral belonging to the högbomite group, characterized by its brownish-black tabular crystals. It typically occurs in high-grade metamorphic rocks and is often difficult to distinguish from spinel without professional analytical techniques.
Is this magnesiohögbomite-6n6s?
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 magnesiohögbomite-6n6s with a known reference. Magnesiohögbomite-6N6S sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Magnesiohögbomite-6N6S leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Magnesiohögbomite-6N6S typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, dark brown, reddish brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Magnesiohögbomite-6N6S vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside magnesiohögbomite-6n6s
Minerals reported to co-occur with magnesiohögbomite-6n6s. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Fe²⁺)₆(Al,Ti,Fe³⁺)₁₈O₃₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.8-3.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Aluminous Rocks, Skarns
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find magnesiohögbomite-6n6s
Classic worldwide localities
- Sweden
- Russia
- Canada
- Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed aluminous rocks, skarns country — that is the host setting where magnesiohögbomite-6n6s typically forms. If you start seeing spinel, corundum, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.




