Namansilite is a rare sodium-manganese silicate member of the pyroxene group. It typically occurs as small prismatic crystals within metamorphosed manganese ore deposits and is highly prized by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this namansilite?
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 namansilite with a known reference. Namansilite sits at Mohs ~6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brownish violet.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine; vitreous to pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brownish red, violet red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Namansilite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Namansilite leaves brownish violet, Aegirine leaves pale yellowish gray; luster reads adamantine; vitreous to pearly on Namansilite and vitreous to slightly resinous on Aegirine.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Namansilite leaves brownish violet, Jadeite leaves white; luster reads adamantine; vitreous to pearly on Namansilite and subvitreous, pearly on cleavages on Jadeite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Namansilite leaves brownish violet, Spodumene leaves white; luster reads adamantine; vitreous to pearly on Namansilite and vitreous, pearly on cleavage on Spodumene.
Often found alongside namansilite
Minerals reported to co-occur with namansilite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaMnSi₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- ~6
- Density
- 3.51 g/cm³
- Colors
- Brownish redViolet red
- Streak
- Brownish violet
- Luster
- Adamantine; vitreous to pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {110}; (110) ^ (110) ~87°
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In low-grade metamorphosed and highly oxidized Mn, Na-rich sediments
Where rockhounds find namansilite
Classic worldwide localities
- Irnimi deposit, Taikan Mountains, Khabarovsk Territory, Russia
- Cerchiara mine, near Faggiona, Val di Vara, Liguria, Italy
- Hoskins mine, near Grenfell, and the Woods mine, 30 km north-northeast of Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In low-grade metamorphosed and highly oxidized Mn, Na-rich sediments. If you start seeing taikanite, pectolite, manganoan amphiboles in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find namansilite on the map
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