Manganvesuvianite is a rare manganese-dominant member of the vesuvianite group known for its distinctive pinkish-red to reddish-brown coloration. It is primarily found in the Kalahari Manganese Fields of South Africa, often occurring as well-formed tetragonal prisms embedded in calcite or other manganese minerals.
Is this manganvesuvianite?
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 manganvesuvianite with a known reference. Manganvesuvianite sits at Mohs 6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Manganvesuvianite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Manganvesuvianite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, pink, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Manganvesuvianite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside manganvesuvianite
Minerals reported to co-occur with manganvesuvianite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₁₉Mn³⁺(Al,Mn³⁺,Fe³⁺)₁₀(Mg,Fe)₂Si₁₈O₆₈(OH,F)₁₀
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 3.3-3.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail, $200+ cabinet specimen
Where rockhounds find manganvesuvianite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wessels Mine, South Africa
- N'Chwaning Mines, South Africa
- Andros Island, Greece
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in manganese deposits country, the host setting where manganvesuvianite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, hausmannite, bultfonteinite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify manganvesuvianite?+
Where is manganvesuvianite found?+
How much is manganvesuvianite worth?+
What rocks look like manganvesuvianite?+
What minerals are found with manganvesuvianite?+
What kind of rock does manganvesuvianite form in?+
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Find manganvesuvianite on the map
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