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, 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.
