Manitobaite is a rare phosphate mineral found primarily in the complex lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatites of the Tanco mine in Manitoba, Canada. It typically forms as small, tabular, yellowish to brownish crystals associated with other phosphate minerals and lithium-bearing species.
Is this manitobaite?
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 manitobaite with a known reference. Manitobaite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Manitobaite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Manitobaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Manitobaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Manitobaite leaves yellowish-white, Triplite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Amblygonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 3-4); streak differs, so Manitobaite leaves yellowish-white, Amblygonite leaves white.
Often found alongside manitobaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with manitobaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₁₆Mn²⁺₄Al₄(PO₄)₆(OH)₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality
Where rockhounds find manitobaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tanco pegmatite, Manitoba, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where manitobaite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, lithiophilite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find manitobaite on the map
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