Sverigeite is a rare sodium beryllium manganese silicate, typically yellow. It was found on a mine dump; possibly part of a vein assemblage. Associated minerals include mimetite, jacobsite and amphibole. It was first described from Långban, Värmland, Sweden.
Is this sverigeite?
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 sverigeite with a known reference. Sverigeite sits at Mohs ~6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous on cleavages and fractures, dull on crystal faces.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: equant crystals, irregular grains.
Often confused with
Sverigeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Sverigeite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~6.5 vs. 5.5); streak differs, so Sverigeite leaves light yellow, Willemite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Sverigeite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~6.5 vs. 5-5.5); streak differs, so Sverigeite leaves light yellow, Esperite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on cleavages and fractures, dull on crystal faces on Sverigeite and dull to slightly greasy on Esperite.
Often found alongside sverigeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sverigeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaBe₂Mn²⁺₂SnSi₃O₁₂(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- ~6.5
- Density
- 3.60 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous on cleavages and fractures, dull on crystal faces
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Equant crystals, irregular grains
- Cleavage
- {010}, perfect; two other directions, distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Found on a mine dump; possibly part of a vein assemblage
Where rockhounds find sverigeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Found on a mine dump; possibly part of a vein assemblage. If you start seeing mimetite, jacobsite, manganoan calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant crystals, irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sverigeite?+
Where is sverigeite found?+
Is sverigeite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like sverigeite?+
What minerals are found with sverigeite?+
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Find sverigeite on the map
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