Maneckiite is a rare phosphate mineral found as part of the wicksite group in complex phosphate-bearing granitic pegmatites. It typically occurs as small, dark brown bladed crystals associated with other secondary phosphate minerals.
Is this maneckiite?
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 maneckiite with a known reference. Maneckiite sits at Mohs ~5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: colorless.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: bladed crystals.
Often confused with
Maneckiite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Maneckiite leaves colorless, Wicksite leaves green; luster reads vitreous on Maneckiite and submetallic on Wicksite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Maneckiite leaves colorless, Graftonite leaves white to pale pink.
Often found alongside maneckiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with maneckiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na□)Ca₂Fe₂(FeMg)Mn₂(PO₄)₆(H₂O)₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 3.531 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Colorless
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed crystals
- Cleavage
- Good on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the outer zone of phosphate nodules
Where rockhounds find maneckiite
Classic worldwide localities
- Michałkowa, Góry Sowie Block, Lower Silesia, southwestern Poland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the outer zone of phosphate nodules. If you start seeing fluorapatite, wolfeite, ca-rich graftonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: bladed crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify maneckiite?+
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What rocks look like maneckiite?+
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Find maneckiite on the map
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