Sverigeite is an extremely rare silicate mineral found exclusively in the Långban iron-manganese mines of Sweden. It typically appears as small, equant, transparent yellow crystals associated with complex manganese minerals in metamorphosed ore bodies.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Sverigeite

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this sverigeite?

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 sverigeite with a known reference. Sverigeite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sverigeite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Sverigeite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal 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.

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: SnMgZn₂(OH)₂Si₂O₇
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 3.58 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Yellowish-green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Equant Crystals, Irregular Grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Metamorphosed Iron-manganese Ore Deposits
Typical price: $100-500 thumbnail size

Where rockhounds find sverigeite

Classic worldwide localities

Långban, Sweden

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphosed iron-manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where sverigeite typically forms. If you start seeing jacobsite, hedyphane, berzeliite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant crystals, irregular grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify sverigeite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, yellowish-green.

Where is sverigeite found?+

Notable localities include Långban, Sweden.

How much is sverigeite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 thumbnail size. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like sverigeite?+

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

What minerals are found with sverigeite?+

Sverigeite commonly co-occurs with Jacobsite, Hedyphane, Berzeliite, Långbanite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does sverigeite form in?+

Sverigeite typically forms in metamorphosed iron-manganese ore deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is sverigeite used for?+

Sverigeite is used in collector.

Find sverigeite on the map

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