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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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
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Find manganostibite on the map
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