Melanotekite is a rare lead-iron silicate primarily found in metamorphosed manganese deposits. It typically presents as black, prismatic, submetallic crystals and is most famous for its occurrence in the Långban district of Sweden.
Is this melanotekite?
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 melanotekite with a known reference. Melanotekite 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. Streak: greenish gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic to greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, blackish gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, prismatic.
Often confused with
Melanotekite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Melanotekite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 5); streak differs, so Melanotekite leaves greenish gray, Kentrolite leaves yellowish brown; luster reads metallic to greasy on Melanotekite and vitreous to submetallic, greasy, dull on Kentrolite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Melanotekite leaves greenish gray, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown.
Often found alongside melanotekite
Minerals reported to co-occur with melanotekite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Fe₂Si₂O₉
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 5.73-6.28 g/cm³
- Colors
- BlackBlackish gray
- Streak
- Greenish gray
- Luster
- Metallic to greasy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, prismatic
- Cleavage
- In two directions, one more prominent
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a metamorphosed Fe{Mn deposit, from which over one ton was removed (Långban, Sweden); in oxidized Pb{Cu ores (Artillery Peaks, Arizona, USA)
Where rockhounds find melanotekite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hillsboro, Sierra Co., New Mexico, USA
- Mammoth-St. Anthony mine, Tiger, Pinal Co., and from a Pb-Cu prospect near Artillery Peaks, Mohave Co, Arizona, USA
- Långban, Jakobsberg, and Pajsberg, Värmland, Sweden
- Merehead quarry, Wesley mine, and at Higher Pitts Farm, Priddy, Somerset, and at Westbury-on-Trym, Avon, England
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a metamorphosed Fe{Mn deposit, from which over one ton was removed (Långban, Sweden); in oxidized Pb{Cu ores (Artillery Peaks, Arizona, USA). If you start seeing lead, magnetite, garnet in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify melanotekite?+
Where is melanotekite found?+
Is melanotekite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like melanotekite?+
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Find melanotekite on the map
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