Varennesite is an exceptionally rare sodium manganese silicate found almost exclusively in the alkaline pegmatites of Mont Saint-Hilaire. Collectors typically look for small, transparent to translucent tabular crystals associated with other rare minerals in vugs within intrusive igneous rocks.
Is this varennesite?
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 varennesite with a known reference. Varennesite 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. Varennesite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Varennesite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.
Often confused with
Varennesite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside varennesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with varennesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₄MnSi₄O₁₀·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.38 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and crystal quality
Where rockhounds find varennesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous pegmatites country, the host setting where varennesite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, albite, analcime in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find varennesite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
