Magnesionigerite-2N1S is a rare tin-bearing oxide mineral belonging to the nigerite group. It typically occurs as small, tabular, hexagonal crystals in metamorphic or pegmatitic environments and is highly valued by micro-mount collectors for its rarity and complex crystallography.
Is this magnesionigerite-2n1s?
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 magnesionigerite-2n1s with a known reference. Magnesionigerite-2N1S sits at Mohs ~8, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, light yellow, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular.
Often confused with
Magnesionigerite-2N1S vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Magnesionigerite-2N1S leaves white, Gahnite leaves gray.
How to tell apart: Corundum is the harder of the two (Mohs 9 vs. ~8); luster reads vitreous on Magnesionigerite-2N1S and adamantine to vitreous; pearly on partings on Corundum.
Often found alongside magnesionigerite-2n1s
Minerals reported to co-occur with magnesionigerite-2n1s. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Al,Zn)₂(Al,Sn)₆O₁₁(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- ~8
- Density
- 4.22 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An accessory mineral in high-temperature tungsten ore
Where rockhounds find magnesionigerite-2n1s
Classic worldwide localities
- Anhua area, Hunan Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An accessory mineral in high-temperature tungsten ore. If you start seeing quartz, scheelite, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify magnesionigerite-2n1s?+
Where is magnesionigerite-2n1s found?+
What rocks look like magnesionigerite-2n1s?+
What minerals are found with magnesionigerite-2n1s?+
What kind of rock does magnesionigerite-2n1s form in?+
What is magnesionigerite-2n1s used for?+
Find magnesionigerite-2n1s on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
