Monimolite is a rare lead-antimony oxide mineral typically found in metamorphosed manganese-iron ore deposits. It usually appears as small, octahedral crystals or massive aggregates with a distinct resinous luster and yellowish color.
Is this monimolite?
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 monimolite with a known reference. Monimolite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Monimolite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Monimolite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown, greenish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Monimolite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Monimolite leaves yellowish, Bindheimite leaves yellow; luster reads resinous on Monimolite and earthy on Bindheimite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Monimolite leaves yellowish, Scheelite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Monimolite and vitreous on Scheelite.
Often found alongside monimolite
Minerals reported to co-occur with monimolite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Pb,Ca)₂(Sb,Fe)₂(O,OH)₇
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 6.0-6.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganese-iron Skarn Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find monimolite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Sweden
- Harstigen, Sweden
- Nordmark, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganese-iron skarn deposits country — that is the host setting where monimolite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, braunite, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify monimolite?+
Where is monimolite found?+
How much is monimolite worth?+
Is monimolite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like monimolite?+
What minerals are found with monimolite?+
What kind of rock does monimolite form in?+
What is monimolite used for?+
Find monimolite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
