Mozartite is a rare manganese silicate mineral named after the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is primarily found as small, distinct prismatic crystals in manganese-rich deposits in Italy, making it a sought-after prize for mineral collectors specializing in rare species.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Red

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Mozartite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Red
Transparency: Transparent

Is this mozartite?

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 mozartite with a known reference. Mozartite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: red.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark red, reddish brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Piemontite

Mohs 6-6.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mozartite leaves red, Piemontite leaves reddish.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mozartite leaves red, Epidote leaves grayish white.

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Often found alongside mozartite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: CaMn³⁺SiO₄(OH)
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 3.63 g/cm³
Colors: Dark red Reddish brown
Streak: Red
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Anhedral grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In veins cutting massive braunite in ophiolitic metacherts

Where rockhounds find mozartite

Classic worldwide localities

Cerchiara manganese mine, near Faggiona, Val di Vara, Liguria, Italy
Wessels mine, near Kuruman, Cape Province, South Africa

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In veins cutting massive braunite in ophiolitic metacherts. If you start seeing pectolite, hausmannite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify mozartite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. Luster: vitreous. The streak is red. Common colors include dark red, reddish brown.

Where is mozartite found?+

Notable localities include Cerchiara manganese mine, near Faggiona, Val di Vara, Liguria, Italy; Wessels mine, near Kuruman, Cape Province, South Africa.

What rocks look like mozartite?+

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

What minerals are found with mozartite?+

Mozartite commonly co-occurs with Pectolite, Hausmannite, Calcite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does mozartite form in?+

Where it forms: In veins cutting massive braunite in ophiolitic metacherts. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is mozartite used for?+

Mozartite is used in collector.

Find mozartite on the map

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