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 — that is 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?+
What is manganvesuvianite used for?+
Find manganvesuvianite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
