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 ~4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: reddish brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown.
- 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: Hematite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. ~4); streak differs, so Örebroite leaves reddish brown, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown; luster reads vitreous on Örebroite and metallic or submetallic to dull on Hematite.
How to tell apart: Ilmenite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. ~4); streak differs, so Örebroite leaves reddish brown, Ilmenite leaves black to reddish brown; luster reads vitreous on Örebroite and metallic to submetallic on Ilmenite.
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⁺₆(Sb⁵⁺Fe³⁺)(SiO₄)₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- ~4
- Density
- 4.77 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Reddish brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A fine-grained aggregate with antimonates
Where rockhounds find örebroite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sjö mine, near Grythyttan, Örebro, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A fine-grained aggregate with antimonates. If you start seeing calcite, hausmannite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify örebroite?+
Where is örebroite found?+
Is örebroite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like örebroite?+
What minerals are found with örebroite?+
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Find örebroite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
