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Saneroite is a rare manganese silicate mineral typically identified by its vibrant orange, fibrous, or radiating needle-like crystal clusters. It is highly sought after by collectors for its limited locality occurrences, most notably in the manganese mines of the Val Graveglia region in Italy.

Hardness
6-7
Mohs
Luster
Resinous to greasy
Streak
White
Transparency
Transparent to translucent

Is this saneroite?

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 saneroite with a known reference. Saneroite sits at Mohs 6-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
  • 2
    Check the streak
    Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
  • 3
    Read the luster
    Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous to greasy.
  • 4
    Match the color range
    Compare against the expected color range: light orange.
  • 5
    Look at form & habit
    Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, tabular.

Often confused with

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

Inesite mineral
mineral
Inesite
Mohs 5.5-6

How to tell apart: Luster reads resinous to greasy on Saneroite and vitreous to silky on Inesite.

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Often found alongside saneroite

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

All properties

Chemical formula
NaMn₅[Si₅O₁₄(OH)](VO₃)(OH)
Mohs hardness
6-7
Density
3.47 g/cm³
Colors
Light orange
Streak
White
Luster
Resinous to greasy
Transparency
Transparent to translucent
Crystal system
Triclinic
Crystal habit
Aggregates, tabular
Cleavage
Perfect in two perpendicular directions
Rarity
Rare
Uses
Collector
Host rock
In veins in manganese ores associated with low-grade prehnite-pumpellyite facies metamorphic recrystallization of siliceous-hematitic sediments (Val Graveglia, Italy)

Where rockhounds find saneroite

Classic worldwide localities

  • Gambatesa and Molinello manganese mines, near Chiavari, Val Graveglia, Liguria, Italy
  • Fianel mine, Val Ferrera, Graubünden, Switzerland

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In veins in manganese ores associated with low-grade prehnite-pumpellyite facies metamorphic recrystallization of siliceous-hematitic sediments (Val Graveglia, Italy). If you start seeing quartz, barite, caryopilite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify saneroite?+
Mohs hardness is 6-7. Luster: resinous to greasy. The streak is white. Common colors include light orange.
Where is saneroite found?+
Notable localities include Gambatesa and Molinello manganese mines, near Chiavari, Val Graveglia, Liguria, Italy; Fianel mine, Val Ferrera, Graubünden, Switzerland.
Is saneroite safe to handle?+
Saneroite contains vanadium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.
What rocks look like saneroite?+
Saneroite is most often confused with Inesite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.
What minerals are found with saneroite?+
Saneroite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Barite, Caryopilite, Ganophyllite, Medaite, Palenzonaite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.
What kind of rock does saneroite form in?+
Where it forms: In veins in manganese ores associated with low-grade prehnite-pumpellyite facies metamorphic recrystallization of siliceous-hematitic sediments (Val Graveglia, Italy). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.
What is saneroite used for?+
Saneroite is used in collector.

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