Örebroite is a rare manganese antimonate mineral found primarily in the manganese mines of the Värmland region in Sweden. Collectors look for its dark, metallic tabular crystals occurring within metamorphosed ore bodies associated with other manganese-rich species.
Is this örebroite?
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 örebroite with a known reference. Örebroite 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. Örebroite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Örebroite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Örebroite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Örebroite leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic on Örebroite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Örebroite and submetallic on Manaccanite.
Often found alongside örebroite
Minerals reported to co-occur with örebroite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺Sb⁵⁺₂O₇
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.67 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and rarity
Where rockhounds find örebroite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jakobsberg mine, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where örebroite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, jakobsite, manganite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find örebroite on the map
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