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 — that is 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
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