Paraberzeliite is a rare arsenate mineral belonging to the garnet group, primarily found in the metamorphosed iron-manganese deposits of Långban, Sweden. It typically occurs as small, yellowish dodecahedral crystals that closely resemble other members of the garnet group but can be distinguished by its specific chemical composition and locality.
Is this paraberzeliite?
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 paraberzeliite with a known reference. Paraberzeliite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic.
Often confused with
Paraberzeliite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Berzeliite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Paraberzeliite leaves white, Berzeliite leaves nearly white to yellow-orange; luster reads vitreous on Paraberzeliite and resinous on Berzeliite.
How to tell apart: Garnet is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7.5 vs. 3.5).
Often found alongside paraberzeliite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paraberzeliite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCaCaMg₂(AsO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.81 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- metamorphosed manganese ore deposits
Where rockhounds find paraberzeliite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: metamorphosed manganese ore deposits. If you start seeing berzeliite, hausmannite, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground.
Common questions
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What rocks look like paraberzeliite?+
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Find paraberzeliite on the map
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