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 4.5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: straw-yellow to cinnamon-brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: greasy to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, gray green, dark brown, orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Monimolite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Monimolite leaves straw-yellow to cinnamon-brown, Bindheimite leaves white, yellowish white; luster reads greasy to adamantine on Monimolite and resinous, dull, earthy on Bindheimite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Monimolite leaves straw-yellow to cinnamon-brown, Scheelite leaves white; luster reads greasy to adamantine on Monimolite and vitreous to adamantine 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
- Pb₂Sb₂O₇
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-6
- Density
- 5.94-7.29 g/cm³
- Streak
- Straw-yellow to cinnamon-brown
- Luster
- Greasy to adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque, translucent on thin edges
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- Indistinct on {111}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In calcite veins in an iron and manganese deposit
Where rockhounds find monimolite
Classic worldwide localities
- Harstigen mine, near Persberg, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In calcite veins in an iron and manganese deposit. If you start seeing tephroite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify monimolite?+
Where is monimolite found?+
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What rocks look like monimolite?+
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Find monimolite on the map
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