Mangangordonite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found as delicate bladed crystals or radiating aggregates in phosphate-rich pegmatites. Collectors should look for its distinctive pink coloration often associated with other secondary phosphate minerals.
Is this mangangordonite?
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 mangangordonite with a known reference. Mangangordonite sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, light yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular.
Often confused with
Mangangordonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside mangangordonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mangangordonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnAl₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 2.36 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A very rare secondary mineral in complex zoned granite pegmatites
Where rockhounds find mangangordonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Foote mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland Co., North Carolina and the Dunton quarry, Newry, Oxford Co., Maine, USA
- Mt. Vasin-Myl’k, Voron’i massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A very rare secondary mineral in complex zoned granite pegmatites. If you start seeing jahnsite, beraunite, strunzite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify mangangordonite?+
Where is mangangordonite found?+
What rocks look like mangangordonite?+
What minerals are found with mangangordonite?+
What kind of rock does mangangordonite form in?+
What is mangangordonite used for?+
Find mangangordonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
