Manaksite is a rare manganese silicate mineral typically found in alkaline igneous environments like the Lovozero massif. It is easily recognized by its distinctive pink to reddish-pink color and is often found as fine-grained masses or small tabular crystals in association with other rare minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent to transparent

mineralrare

Manaksite

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent to transparent

Is this manaksite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch manaksite with a known reference. Manaksite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, creamy white, rosy.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, granular aggregates.

Often confused with

Manaksite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Manaksite and silky, subvitreous on Pectolite.

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Often found alongside manaksite

Minerals reported to co-occur with manaksite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: KNaMnSi₄O₁₀
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 2.73 g/cm³
Colors: ColorlessCreamy whiteRosy
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent to transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, granular aggregates
Cleavage: {001}, perfect; {010}, less perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In ultra-agpaitic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif

Where rockhounds find manaksite

Classic worldwide localities

Mt. Alluaiv, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In ultra-agpaitic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif. If you start seeing nepheline, sodalite, analcime in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, granular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify manaksite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, creamy white, rosy.

Where is manaksite found?+

Notable localities include Mt. Alluaiv, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like manaksite?+

Manaksite is most often confused with Rhodonite, Serandite, Pectolite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with manaksite?+

Manaksite commonly co-occurs with Nepheline, Sodalite, Analcime, Potassic feldspar, Albite, Cancrisilite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does manaksite form in?+

Where it forms: In ultra-agpaitic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is manaksite used for?+

Manaksite is used in collector.

Find manaksite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.