Manganberzeliite is a rare manganese-dominant member of the garnet supergroup typically found in the famous manganese mines of Sweden. It usually occurs as compact, brownish-yellow granular masses or small dodecahedral crystals associated with various manganese oxides. Its distinct chemistry and rarity make it a prized specimen for advanced systematic mineral collectors.

Hardness

4.5-5

Mohs

Luster

Resinous

Streak

White to yellow-orange

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrareGarnet Group family

Manganberzeliite

Hardness: 4.5-5
Luster: Resinous
Streak: White to yellow-orange
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this manganberzeliite?

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 manganberzeliite with a known reference. Manganberzeliite sits at Mohs 4.5-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white to yellow-orange.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: grayish yellow, yellowish red, honey yellow, orange.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

Manganberzeliite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Berzeliite

Mohs 4.5-5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Manganberzeliite leaves white to yellow-orange, Berzeliite leaves nearly white to yellow-orange.

Compare →

Often found alongside manganberzeliite

Minerals reported to co-occur with manganberzeliite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: NaCa₂Mn₂(AsO₄)₃
Mohs hardness: 4.5-5
Density: 4.21-4.46 g/cm³
Colors: Grayish yellowYellowish redHoney yellow Orange
Streak: White to yellow-orange
Luster: Resinous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral crystals, massive, granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In metamorphosed manganiferous skarns (Sweden); in a metamorphosed stratiform zinc orebody (Franklin, New Jersey, USA)

Where rockhounds find manganberzeliite

Classic worldwide localities

Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
Långban, Värmland, at the Moss mine, near Nordmark, and the Sjö mine, near Grythyttan, Örebro, Sweden
Gozaisho mine, Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In metamorphosed manganiferous skarns (Sweden); in a metamorphosed stratiform zinc orebody (Franklin, New Jersey, USA). If you start seeing hausmannite, rhodonite, tephroite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify manganberzeliite?+

Mohs hardness is 4.5-5. Luster: resinous. The streak is white to yellow-orange. Common colors include grayish yellow, yellowish red, honey yellow, orange.

Where is manganberzeliite found?+

Notable localities include Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA; Långban, Värmland, at the Moss mine, near Nordmark, and the Sjö mine, near Grythyttan, Örebro, Sweden; Gozaisho mine, Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.

Is manganberzeliite safe to handle?+

Manganberzeliite contains arsenic and calls for real care. Contains arsenic; handle with care and wash hands thoroughly after handling. Do not ingest dust or fragments.

What rocks look like manganberzeliite?+

Manganberzeliite is most often confused with Berzeliite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with manganberzeliite?+

Manganberzeliite commonly co-occurs with Hausmannite, Rhodonite, Tephroite, Pyrochroite, Bergslagite, Caryinite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does manganberzeliite form in?+

Where it forms: In metamorphosed manganiferous skarns (Sweden); in a metamorphosed stratiform zinc orebody (Franklin, New Jersey, USA). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is manganberzeliite used for?+

Manganberzeliite is used in collector.

Find manganberzeliite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.