Pyrobelonite is a rare lead manganese vanadate found primarily in metamorphosed iron-manganese deposits. Collectors look for its distinctive deep red to orange-red bladed or needle-like crystal sprays typically resting on contrasting black manganese minerals.
Is this pyrobelonite?
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 pyrobelonite with a known reference. Pyrobelonite 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. Pyrobelonite leaves a orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pyrobelonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red, orange-red, brownish-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular to acicular crystals, often as radiating sprays or crusts.
Often confused with
Pyrobelonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pyrobelonite leaves orange, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red; luster reads vitreous on Pyrobelonite and greasy to adamantine on Descloizite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pyrobelonite leaves orange, Vanadinite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Pyrobelonite and resinous on Vanadinite.
Often found alongside pyrobelonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pyrobelonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbMn(VO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 5.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- Orange
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Acicular Crystals, Often as Radiating Sprays or Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find pyrobelonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Sweden
- Pajsberg, Sweden
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits country, the host setting where pyrobelonite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, berynite, manganosite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to acicular crystals, often as radiating sprays or crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pyrobelonite on the map
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