Manganoblödite is a rare manganese-bearing sulfate mineral belonging to the blödite group. It typically occurs as small prismatic crystals within evaporate sequences and is prized by mineral collectors due to its rarity and specific chemical composition.

Hardness

2.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareBlödite Group family

Manganoblödite

Hardness: 2.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this manganoblödite?

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 manganoblödite with a known reference. Manganoblödite sits at Mohs 2.5, 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.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, reddish pink in aggregates.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Manganoblödite and waxy to vitreous on Leonite.

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Often found alongside manganoblödite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂Mn(SO₄)₂·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2.5
Density: 2.25 g/cm³
Colors: ColorlessReddish pink in aggregates
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Coating the walls of underground mine works, related to post-mining oxidation of primary U deposits of the Colorado Plateau type hosted by sandstones

Where rockhounds find manganoblödite

Classic worldwide localities

Blue Lizard mine, White Canyon district, San Juan County, Utah, USA and at the Womobi mine, near Thologolong, in northern Victoria, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Coating the walls of underground mine works, related to post-mining oxidation of primary U deposits of the Colorado Plateau type hosted by sandstones. If you start seeing mn-co-ni-bearing blödite, chalcanthite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify manganoblödite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, reddish pink in aggregates.

Where is manganoblödite found?+

Notable localities include Blue Lizard mine, White Canyon district, San Juan County, Utah, USA and at the Womobi mine, near Thologolong, in northern Victoria, Australia.

What rocks look like manganoblödite?+

Manganoblödite is most often confused with Blödite, Leonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with manganoblödite?+

Manganoblödite commonly co-occurs with Mn-Co-Ni-bearing blödite, Chalcanthite, Gypsum, Johannite, Sideronatrite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does manganoblödite form in?+

Where it forms: Coating the walls of underground mine works, related to post-mining oxidation of primary U deposits of the Colorado Plateau type hosted by sandstones. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is manganoblödite used for?+

Manganoblödite is used in collector.

Find manganoblödite on the map

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