Menezesite is a rare niobate mineral that occurs as small yellow octahedral crystals. It is found primarily within the carbonatite rocks of the Jacupiranga Mine in Brazil, often associated with secondary minerals like calcite and magnetite.
Is this menezesite?
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 menezesite with a known reference. Menezesite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Menezesite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Menezesite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals.
Often found alongside menezesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with menezesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Nb₂Mg₂Mn₄O₁₉·20H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Carbonatite
- Typical price
- $100-500+ per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find menezesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jacupiranga Mine, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in carbonatite country — that is the host setting where menezesite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, magnetite, serpentine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find menezesite on the map
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