Smamite is an extremely rare antimonate mineral typically found as small, colorless to white tabular crystals. It is primarily known from the historic Långban mine in Sweden, occurring within metamorphosed manganese-rich skarns.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Smamite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this smamite?

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 smamite with a known reference. Smamite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Smamite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Smamite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Stibiconite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 3.5); luster reads vitreous on Smamite and dull on Stibiconite.

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Often found alongside smamite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₃Sb₂O₆
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.98 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Metamorphic Manganese Deposits
Typical price: $50-500 thumbnail

Where rockhounds find smamite

Classic worldwide localities

Långban, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphic manganese deposits country — that is the host setting where smamite typically forms. If you start seeing hematite, hausmannite, phornacite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify smamite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is smamite found?+

Notable localities include Långban, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden.

How much is smamite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 thumbnail. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is smamite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains antimony, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust; wash hands after handling specimens. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like smamite?+

Smamite is most often confused with Calcite, Stibiconite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with smamite?+

Smamite commonly co-occurs with hematite, hausmannite, phornacite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does smamite form in?+

Smamite typically forms in metamorphic manganese deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is smamite used for?+

Smamite is used in collector.

Find smamite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.