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. Streak: colorless to very pale green or very pale greenish brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, 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: Triplite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 3-4); streak differs, so Manitobaite leaves colorless to very pale green or very pale greenish brown, Triplite leaves white to brown.
How to tell apart: Amblygonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 3-4); streak differs, so Manitobaite leaves colorless to very pale green or very pale greenish brown, 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
- Na₁₆Mn₂₅Al₈(PO₄)₃₀
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.621 g/cm³
- Streak
- Colorless to very pale green or very pale greenish brown
- Luster
- Vitreous to resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque, translucent, transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A primary phase in phosphate pods in a zoned granitic pegmatite
Where rockhounds find manitobaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tanco pegmatite, Manitoba, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A primary phase in phosphate pods in a zoned granitic pegmatite. If you start seeing chlorapatite, bobfergusonite, eosphorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify manitobaite?+
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What rocks look like manitobaite?+
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Find manitobaite on the map
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