Pyroxmangite is a rare manganese silicate that is easily confused with the more common rhodonite. It is typically found in manganese-rich metamorphic deposits, often appearing as pinkish-brown to red granular masses or small, flattened crystals.

Hardness

5.5-6

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrarePyroxene Group family

Pyroxmangite

Hardness: 5.5-6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this pyroxmangite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch pyroxmangite with a known reference. Pyroxmangite sits at Mohs 5.5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pyroxmangite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Pyroxmangite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, reddish-brown, brown, yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

Pyroxmangite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Pyroxmangite and vitreous to pearly on Bustamite.

How to tell apart: Pyroxmangite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 3.5-4).

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Often found alongside pyroxmangite

Minerals reported to co-occur with pyroxmangite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: MnSiO₃
Mohs hardness: 5.5-6
Density: 3.6-3.8 g/cm³
Colors: Pink Reddish-brown Brown Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
Cleavage: Perfect in Two Directions
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Manganese-rich Metamorphic Rocks
Typical price: $20-150 for small specimens

Where rockhounds find pyroxmangite

Classic worldwide localities

South Carolina, USA
Valle di Scalve, Italy
Broken Hill, Australia
Hokkaido, Japan
Tanzania

Field-hunting tip

Look in manganese-rich metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where pyroxmangite typically forms. If you start seeing rhodonite, spessartine, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify pyroxmangite?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5-6. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include pink, reddish-brown, brown, yellow.

Where is pyroxmangite found?+

Notable localities include South Carolina, USA; Valle di Scalve, Italy; Broken Hill, Australia; Hokkaido, Japan; Tanzania.

How much is pyroxmangite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-150 for small specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like pyroxmangite?+

Pyroxmangite is most often confused with Rhodonite, Bustamite, Rhodochrosite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with pyroxmangite?+

Pyroxmangite commonly co-occurs with Rhodonite, Spessartine, Quartz, Calcite, Rhodochrosite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does pyroxmangite form in?+

Pyroxmangite typically forms in manganese-rich metamorphic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is pyroxmangite used for?+

Pyroxmangite is used in collector.

Find pyroxmangite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.