Sveinbergeite is a rare calcium iron titanium silicate, typically dark green. It is a late forming mineral in cavities in syenite pegmatite in an alkaline plutonic complex. It was first described from Buer syenite pegmatite, Sandefjord, Oslo Region, Norway.
Is this sveinbergeite?
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 sveinbergeite with a known reference. Sveinbergeite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates.
Often confused with
Sveinbergeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to pearly on Sveinbergeite and submetallic on cleavages on Lamprophyllite.
How to tell apart: Ericssonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Sveinbergeite leaves pale green, Ericssonite leaves rich brown; luster reads vitreous to pearly on Sveinbergeite and submetallic on Ericssonite.
Often found alongside sveinbergeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sveinbergeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (H₂O)₂[Ca(H₂O)](Fe²⁺₆Fe³⁺)Ti₂(Si₄O₁₂)₂O₂(OH)₄[(OH)(H₂O)]
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.152 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale green
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, tabular aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late forming mineral in cavities in syenite pegmatite in an alkaline plutonic complex
Where rockhounds find sveinbergeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Buer syenite pegmatite, Larvik plutonic complex, Vesterøya peninsula, Sandefjord, Oslo Region, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late forming mineral in cavities in syenite pegmatite in an alkaline plutonic complex. If you start seeing microcline, magnesiokatophorite, aenigmatite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sveinbergeite?+
Where is sveinbergeite found?+
What rocks look like sveinbergeite?+
What minerals are found with sveinbergeite?+
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Find sveinbergeite on the map
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