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

5-6

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrarenull family

Manaksite

Hardness: 5-6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

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 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Manaksite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Manaksite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, reddish-pink.
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 vitreous to silky 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: NaMnSi₅O₁₀·H₂O
Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 2.98 g/cm³
Colors: Pink Reddish-pink
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Granular Aggregates
Cleavage: Good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find manaksite

Classic worldwide localities

Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where manaksite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify manaksite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include pink, reddish-pink.

Where is manaksite found?+

Notable localities include Kola Peninsula, Russia.

How much is manaksite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

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 Aegirine, Microcline, Nepheline, Eudialyte. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does manaksite form in?+

Manaksite typically forms in alkaline pegmatites. 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.