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

mineralrare

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, 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.