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 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brownish.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 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
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 3.452 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent to opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, prismatic, sometimes as crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}, less perfect on {010}, poor on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In thin stringers in amphibolized garnet-pyroxene-magnetite skarn associated with an iron deposit (Rudnyi Kaskad deposit, Russia); replacing hedenbergite-johannsenite skarn (Iron Cap mine, Arizona, USA)
Where rockhounds find manganbabingtonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Iron Cap Pb-Zn mine, near Aravaipa, Graham Co., Arizona, USA
- Rudnyi Kaskad deposit, eastern Sayan Mountains, Siberia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In thin stringers in amphibolized garnet-pyroxene-magnetite skarn associated with an iron deposit (Rudnyi Kaskad deposit, Russia); replacing hedenbergite-johannsenite skarn (Iron Cap mine, Arizona, USA). If you start seeing epidote, calcite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, prismatic, sometimes as crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify manganbabingtonite?+
Where is manganbabingtonite found?+
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
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