Mangano Calcite is a manganese-rich variety of calcite prized by collectors for its soft, pastel pink coloration. It is easily identified by its distinctive bright pink fluorescence under short-wave ultraviolet light and its typical rhombohedral crystal habit.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralcommonCalcite family

Mangano Calcite

Also: Manganoan Calcite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this mangano calcite?

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 mangano calcite with a known reference. Mangano Calcite sits at Mohs 3, 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.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, pale pink, peach, lavender.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, massive, botryoidal.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Rose Quartz is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 3).

How to tell apart: Smithsonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. 3).

Compare →

Often found alongside mangano calcite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Ca,Mn)CO₃
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.7 g/cm³
Colors: Pink Pale pinkPeachLavender
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Rhombohedral crystals, massive, botryoidal
Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral
Fluorescence: Bright pink under SW UV
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector, Lapidary
Host rock: hydrothermal veins, low-temperature ore deposits

Where rockhounds find mangano calcite

Classic worldwide localities

Peru
Mexico
Romania
China

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: hydrothermal veins, low-temperature ore deposits. If you start seeing calcite, galena, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, massive, botryoidal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify mangano calcite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include pink, pale pink, peach, lavender.

Where is mangano calcite found?+

Notable localities include Peru; Mexico; Romania; China.

What rocks look like mangano calcite?+

Mangano Calcite is most often confused with Rhodochrosite, Rose Quartz, Smithsonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with mangano calcite?+

Mangano Calcite commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Galena, Quartz, Sphalerite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does mangano calcite form in?+

Where it forms: hydrothermal veins, low-temperature ore deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is mangano calcite used for?+

Mangano Calcite is used in collector, lapidary.

Find mangano calcite on the map

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