Sarkinite is an uncommon manganese arsenate mineral prized by collectors for its vibrant orange to red colors and glassy luster. It is most famously found in the manganese mines of Långban, Sweden, often appearing as distinct tabular crystals or as compact masses. Because it contains arsenic, it should be handled with care and stored securely.
Is this sarkinite?
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 sarkinite with a known reference. Sarkinite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: rose-red to yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, dark red, reddish yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular.
Often confused with
Sarkinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Sarkinite leaves rose-red to yellow, Triplite leaves white to brown; luster reads greasy on Sarkinite and vitreous to resinous on Triplite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Sarkinite leaves rose-red to yellow, Alluaudite leaves dirty yellow; luster reads greasy on Sarkinite and vitreous to resinous on Alluaudite.
Often found alongside sarkinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sarkinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺₂AsO₄(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 4.08-4.18 g/cm³
- Streak
- Rose-red to yellow
- Luster
- Greasy
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular
- Cleavage
- On {100}, distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Rare in metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebodies (Sweden); in manganese-rich lenses in quartzitic chlorite schists probably of marine origin (Ködnitz Valley, Austria); in metamorphosed stratiform zinc orebodies (New Jersey, USA)
Where rockhounds find sarkinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, and at Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
- Harstigen mine, near Persberg, at the Brattfors mine, and from Långban, Värmland, Sweden
- Sjö mine, near Grythyttan, Örebro, Sweden
- Ködnitz Valley, Tirol, Austria
- Falotta mine, Oberhalbstein, Graubünden, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Rare in metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebodies (Sweden); in manganese-rich lenses in quartzitic chlorite schists probably of marine origin (Ködnitz Valley, Austria); in metamorphosed stratiform zinc orebodies (New Jersey, USA). If you start seeing lead, bementite, brandtite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sarkinite?+
Where is sarkinite found?+
Is sarkinite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like sarkinite?+
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Find sarkinite on the map
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