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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
