Sveinbergeite is a rare manganese-dominant member of the lamprophyllite group characterized by its distinctive platy, tabular habit. It is found almost exclusively in the alkaline nepheline syenite pegmatites of the Langesundsfjord region in Norway, often occurring as micaceous aggregates. Collectors should look for its characteristic yellowish-brown hue and vitreous luster when examining pegmatite material from this locality.
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. Sveinbergeite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sveinbergeite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. 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: Streak differs — Sveinbergeite leaves yellowish, Lamprophyllite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Ericssonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3); streak differs — Sveinbergeite leaves yellowish, Ericssonite leaves light brown.
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
- Na₃Mn₇Ti(Si₂O₇)₂O₂(OH)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.31 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Tabular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Nepheline Syenite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find sveinbergeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sveinberget, Norway
- Langesundsfjord, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in nepheline syenite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where sveinbergeite typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, aegirine, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find sveinbergeite on the map
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