Manganonaujakasite is a rare manganese-dominant analogue of naujakasite found primarily within the highly alkaline rocks of the Ilímaussaq complex in Greenland. It is most commonly identified by its platy, micaceous habit and distinctive pale pink to colorless appearance within pegmatitic veins.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to pearly

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareNaujakasite family

Manganonaujakasite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous to pearly
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this manganonaujakasite?

4-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 manganonaujakasite with a known reference. Manganonaujakasite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to pearly.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bright blue.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, granular, tabular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Naujakasite

Mohs 2-3

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to pearly on Manganonaujakasite and pearly on {001} on Naujakasite.

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Often found alongside manganonaujakasite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₆MnAl₄Si₈O₂₆
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 2.67 g/cm³
Colors: Bright blue
Luster: Vitreous to pearly
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Anhedral grains, granular, tabular
Cleavage: Perfect on {001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In lovozerite-lomonosovite nepheline syenite in an alkaline massif

Where rockhounds find manganonaujakasite

Classic worldwide localities

Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In lovozerite-lomonosovite nepheline syenite in an alkaline massif. If you start seeing na-k feldspar, villiaumite, sodalite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, granular, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify manganonaujakasite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. Luster: vitreous to pearly. Common colors include bright blue.

Where is manganonaujakasite found?+

Notable localities include Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like manganonaujakasite?+

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

What minerals are found with manganonaujakasite?+

Manganonaujakasite commonly co-occurs with Na-K feldspar, Villiaumite, Sodalite, Nepheline, Analcime, Aegirine. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does manganonaujakasite form in?+

Where it forms: In lovozerite-lomonosovite nepheline syenite in an alkaline massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is manganonaujakasite used for?+

Manganonaujakasite is used in collector.

Find manganonaujakasite on the map

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