Verplanckite is an extremely rare barium manganese silicate mineral found primarily in alkaline pegmatites. It typically forms small, brownish, tabular crystals or radiating clusters that are sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Verplanckite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this verplanckite?

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 verplanckite with a known reference. Verplanckite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Verplanckite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Verplanckite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brown, yellow-brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates.

Often confused with

Verplanckite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Eudialyte

Mohs 5-6

How to tell apart: Eudialyte is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3-4).

Compare →

Often found alongside verplanckite

Minerals reported to co-occur with verplanckite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ba₄Mn₂Si₄O₁₂(O,OH,F,Cl)₄·nH₂O
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 3.37 g/cm³
Colors: Brown Yellow-brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Radiating Aggregates
Cleavage: None Observed
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300+ per specimen depending on size and quality

Where rockhounds find verplanckite

Classic worldwide localities

Khibiny Massif, Russia
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where verplanckite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify verplanckite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include brown, yellow-brown.

Where is verplanckite found?+

Notable localities include Khibiny Massif, Russia; Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada.

How much is verplanckite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300+ per specimen depending on size and quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like verplanckite?+

Verplanckite is most often confused with Eudialyte. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with verplanckite?+

Verplanckite commonly co-occurs with Aegirine, Microcline, Nepheline, Astrophyllite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does verplanckite form in?+

Verplanckite typically forms in alkaline pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is verplanckite used for?+

Verplanckite is used in collector.

Find verplanckite on the map

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