Whiteite-(MnMnMg) is a rare phosphate mineral typically found in complex granite pegmatites. Collectors usually look for its characteristic yellowish-brown tabular crystals that often form radiating or bladed aggregates associated with secondary phosphate minerals.
Is this whiteite-(mnmnmg)?
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 whiteite-(mnmnmg) with a known reference. Whiteite-(MnMnMg) 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: pale orange.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: reddish orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals, often as complex aggregates.
Often confused with
Whiteite-(MnMnMg) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside whiteite-(mnmnmg)
Minerals reported to co-occur with whiteite-(mnmnmg). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnMnMg₂Al₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~4
- Density
- 2.61 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale orange
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to prismatic crystals, often as complex aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- From a Mn-rich, carbonate-rich zone, in a deeply weathered, Precambrian sedimentary iron ore deposit (Monarch quarry), likely as a late-stage, low-temperature hydrothermal phase
Where rockhounds find whiteite-(mnmnmg)
Classic worldwide localities
- Iron Monarch quarry, Iron Knob, South Australia, Australia
- Jocão pegmatite, and the Sapucaia mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: From a Mn-rich, carbonate-rich zone, in a deeply weathered, Precambrian sedimentary iron ore deposit (Monarch quarry), likely as a late-stage, low-temperature hydrothermal phase. If you start seeing hematite, hausmannite, baryte in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals, often as complex aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify whiteite-(mnmnmg)?+
Where is whiteite-(mnmnmg) found?+
What rocks look like whiteite-(mnmnmg)?+
What minerals are found with whiteite-(mnmnmg)?+
What kind of rock does whiteite-(mnmnmg) form in?+
What is whiteite-(mnmnmg) used for?+
Find whiteite-(mnmnmg) on the map
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