Pyrophanite is a rare manganese titanium oxide known for its distinct dark red to reddish-brown color. It typically forms thin, translucent, tabular crystals in metamorphic manganese deposits and is highly prized by mineral collectors for its rarity and chemical composition.
Is this pyrophanite?
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 pyrophanite with a known reference. Pyrophanite 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. Pyrophanite leaves a yellowish-orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pyrophanite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: thin tabular crystals or lamellar masses.
Often confused with
Pyrophanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside pyrophanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pyrophanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnTiO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.5-4.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-orange
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Thin Tabular Crystals or Lamellar Masses
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Manganese Deposits and Skarns
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and clarity
Where rockhounds find pyrophanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pajsberg, Sweden
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
- Jacupiranga, Brazil
- Broken Hill, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed manganese deposits and skarns country — that is the host setting where pyrophanite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, magnetite, rhodonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a thin tabular crystals or lamellar masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pyrophanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
