Magnussonite is a rare manganese arsenite mineral typically found as vibrant green drusy coatings or small spherical clusters. It is highly prized by micromounters and collectors of rare Swedish manganese minerals, primarily occurring in the metamorphosed iron-manganese deposits of the Långban mining district.
Is this magnussonite?
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 magnussonite with a known reference. Magnussonite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Magnussonite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Magnussonite typically shows a vitreous to adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald green, grass green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: drusy aggregates, spherical clusters, minute crystals.
Often confused with
Magnussonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Magnussonite leaves pale green, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Magnussonite and adamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Magnussonite leaves pale green, Dixenite leaves brownish-red; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Magnussonite and vitreous on Dixenite.
Often found alongside magnussonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with magnussonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺₅(As³⁺O₃)₂(OH)Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.74 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Vitreous to Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Drusy Aggregates, Spherical Clusters, Minute Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality
Where rockhounds find magnussonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Sweden
- Nordmark, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where magnussonite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, braunite, hedyphane in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a drusy aggregates, spherical clusters, minute crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find magnussonite on the map
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