Vaniniite is a rare calcium manganese arsenate. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2018. It was first described from Falotta mine, near Rona village, Oberhalbstein valley, Graubünden, Switzerland.
Is this vaniniite?
4-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 vaniniite with a known reference. Vaniniite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange, brownish-yellow.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular to prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Vaniniite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Vaniniite and greasy on Descloizite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Vaniniite and greasy on Mottramite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Vaniniite and subresinous to subadamantine on Vanadinite.
Often found alongside vaniniite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vaniniite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Mn²⁺₃Mn³⁺₂O₂(AsO₄)₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.41 g/cm³
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular to prismatic crystals
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- hydrothermal veins
Where rockhounds find vaniniite
Classic worldwide localities
- Falotta mine, near Rona village, Oberhalbstein valley, Graubünden, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: hydrothermal veins. If you start seeing calcite, galena, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular to prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vaniniite?+
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Find vaniniite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
