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. Sarkinite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sarkinite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange, red, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, granular aggregates, sometimes crusts.
Often confused with
Sarkinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- 4.17 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Granular Aggregates, Sometimes Crusts
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-200 depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find sarkinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Sweden
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
- Sterling Hill, New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where sarkinite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, barite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, granular aggregates, sometimes crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find sarkinite on the map
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