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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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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