Reppiaite is an extremely rare manganese vanadate mineral first discovered in the manganese mines of the Val Graveglia district in Italy. It typically appears as small, dark reddish-brown tabular crystals embedded within manganese-bearing host rocks. Collectors prize it for its unique chemical composition and restricted locality occurrences.
Is this reppiaite?
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 reppiaite with a known reference. Reppiaite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Reppiaite leaves a yellowish-brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Reppiaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red, brownish-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, platy aggregates.
Often confused with
Reppiaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Reppiaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 1-2); streak differs — Reppiaite leaves yellowish-brown, Fernandinite leaves light green; luster reads vitreous on Reppiaite and dull on Fernandinite.
How to tell apart: Braunite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3); streak differs — Reppiaite leaves yellowish-brown, Braunite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Reppiaite and submetallic on Braunite.
Often found alongside reppiaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with reppiaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺₅(VO₄)₂(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.45 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Platy Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganese-rich Cherts
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find reppiaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Reppia mine, Liguria, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganese-rich cherts country — that is the host setting where reppiaite typically forms. If you start seeing braunite, ganophyllite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, platy aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find reppiaite on the map
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