Manganostibite is a rare manganese antimonate mineral typically found in metamorphic manganese ores. It is primarily known for its distinct dark reddish-brown color and submetallic luster, usually occurring in small granular masses or tabular crystals within skarn environments.
Is this manganostibite?
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 manganostibite with a known reference. Manganostibite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Manganostibite leaves a reddish-brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Manganostibite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, dark red, brownish-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Manganostibite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Manganostibite leaves reddish-brown, Allactite leaves light brown; luster reads submetallic on Manganostibite and vitreous on Allactite.
How to tell apart: Iron Ore is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6.5 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Manganostibite leaves reddish-brown, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads submetallic on Manganostibite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside manganostibite
Minerals reported to co-occur with manganostibite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn₇SbAsO₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.7-4.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Reddish-brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganese Skarns and Metamorphosed Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find manganostibite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jakobsberg Mine, Sweden
- Nordmark, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganese skarns and metamorphosed manganese deposits country, the host setting where manganostibite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, galeite, barite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify manganostibite?+
Where is manganostibite found?+
How much is manganostibite worth?+
Is manganostibite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like manganostibite?+
What minerals are found with manganostibite?+
What kind of rock does manganostibite form in?+
What is manganostibite used for?+
Find manganostibite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
