Marklite is a very rare hydrated manganese sulfate mineral typically found as small, thin tabular crystals. It is most famous for its occurrences in manganese-rich metamorphic deposits, notably in the historic mines of Långban, Sweden, and Franklin, New Jersey.

Hardness

3-3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Marklite

Hardness: 3-3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this marklite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch marklite with a known reference. Marklite sits at Mohs 3-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Marklite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Marklite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish, greenish.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, prismatic, granular.

Often confused with

Marklite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Gypsum

Mohs 2

How to tell apart: Marklite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2).

Often found alongside marklite

Minerals reported to co-occur with marklite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂Mn(SO₄)₂·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3-3.5
Density: 2.8 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless Yellowish Greenish
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Prismatic, Granular
Cleavage: Good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Metamorphosed Manganese Ore Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find marklite

Classic worldwide localities

Långban, Sweden
Franklin, New Jersey, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where marklite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, baryte, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, prismatic, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify marklite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless, yellowish, greenish.

Where is marklite found?+

Notable localities include Långban, Sweden; Franklin, New Jersey, USA.

How much is marklite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like marklite?+

Marklite is most often confused with Gypsum, Anhydrite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with marklite?+

Marklite commonly co-occurs with Hausmannite, Baryte, Calcite, Manganite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does marklite form in?+

Marklite typically forms in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is marklite used for?+

Marklite is used in collector.

Find marklite on the map

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