Rambergite is a rare polymorph of manganese sulfide, occurring primarily in metamorphic manganese deposits. Collectors typically find it as small, pinkish-brown platy crystals or granular masses associated with other manganese minerals.
Is this rambergite?
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 rambergite with a known reference. Rambergite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rambergite leaves a pinkish white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rambergite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, red, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Rambergite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Rambergite leaves pinkish white, Alabandite leaves dark green to olive-green; luster reads vitreous on Rambergite and submetallic to dull on Alabandite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Rambergite leaves pinkish white, Sphalerite leaves white to yellow-brown; luster reads vitreous on Rambergite and resinous to submetallic on Sphalerite.
Often found alongside rambergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rambergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnS
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.6-4.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pinkish White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find rambergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kallhäll, Sweden
- Wessels Mine, South Africa
- N'Chwaning Mines, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic manganese deposits country — that is the host setting where rambergite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, braunite, bementite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find rambergite on the map
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