Manganbabingtonite is a rare manganese-rich member of the babingtonite group, typically found in manganese-rich skarn deposits. It is most easily recognized by its dark, almost black tabular crystals and vitreous luster. Collectors usually find it associated with other manganese minerals like rhodochrosite in hydrothermal vein environments.
Is this manganbabingtonite?
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 manganbabingtonite with a known reference. Manganbabingtonite sits at Mohs 5.5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Manganbabingtonite leaves a greenish-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Manganbabingtonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, prismatic, sometimes as crusts.
Often confused with
Manganbabingtonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside manganbabingtonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with manganbabingtonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Mn²⁺Fe³⁺Si₅O₁₄OH
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 3.54 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Greenish-black
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Prismatic, Sometimes as Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}, Good On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Skarn Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find manganbabingtonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fujikura mine, Japan
- Sweden
- India
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarn deposits country — that is the host setting where manganbabingtonite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, rhodochrosite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, prismatic, sometimes as crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify manganbabingtonite?+
Where is manganbabingtonite found?+
How much is manganbabingtonite worth?+
What rocks look like manganbabingtonite?+
What minerals are found with manganbabingtonite?+
What kind of rock does manganbabingtonite form in?+
What is manganbabingtonite used for?+
Find manganbabingtonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
