Ribbeite is a rare manganese silicate member of the humite group, typically occurring in metamorphosed manganese deposits. It is most often found as granular masses or small prismatic crystals in association with other manganese minerals like hausmannite and jacobsite.
Is this ribbeite?
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 ribbeite with a known reference. Ribbeite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ribbeite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ribbeite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: reddish-brown, orange-pink, yellow-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular to prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Ribbeite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside ribbeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ribbeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn₅(SiO₄)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Granular to Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Poor On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganese-rich Skarn Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and provenance
Where rockhounds find ribbeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pajsberg, Värmland, Sweden
- Långban, Värmland, Sweden
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganese-rich skarn deposits country — that is the host setting where ribbeite typically forms. If you start seeing jacobsite, hausmannite, bannisterite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular to prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ribbeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
