Villyaellenite is a rare manganese arsenate mineral that typically forms delicate, bladed crystal clusters or radial sprays. It is most sought after by advanced collectors for its distinct pink hue and rarity, frequently found in manganese-rich metamorphic deposits.
Is this villyaellenite?
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 villyaellenite with a known reference. Villyaellenite sits at Mohs ~4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, light pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic, rosette.
Often confused with
Villyaellenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside villyaellenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with villyaellenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mn,Ca)Mn₂Ca₂(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~4
- Density
- 3.20-3.69 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, rosette
- Cleavage
- Good on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare post-mine low-temperature reaction product of carbonate gangue with arsenical solutions derived from arsenic (Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, France)
Where rockhounds find villyaellenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
- Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, Haut-Rhin, France
- Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic
- Ojuela mine, Mapimí, Durango, Mexico
- Veta Negra mine, Pampa Larga district, Tierra Amarilla, southeast of Copiapó, Chile
- Gozaisho mine, Iwaki, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare post-mine low-temperature reaction product of carbonate gangue with arsenical solutions derived from arsenic (Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, France). If you start seeing fluckite, picropharmacolite, pharmacolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, rosette. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify villyaellenite?+
Where is villyaellenite found?+
Is villyaellenite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like villyaellenite?+
What minerals are found with villyaellenite?+
What kind of rock does villyaellenite form in?+
What is villyaellenite used for?+
Find villyaellenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
