Wickmanite is a rare manganese tin hydroxide mineral that typically forms distinct, transparent to translucent octahedral crystals. It is primarily sought by advanced mineral collectors and is most famously associated with the unique manganese-rich ore deposits of Långban, Sweden.
Is this wickmanite?
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 wickmanite with a known reference. Wickmanite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wickmanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wickmanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-brown, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Wickmanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Wickmanite leaves white, Stottite leaves brownish black; luster reads vitreous on Wickmanite and adamantine on Stottite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Wickmanite leaves white, Varlamoffite leaves yellowish; luster reads vitreous on Wickmanite and dull on Varlamoffite.
Often found alongside wickmanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wickmanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnSn(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.67 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Metamorphic Rocks, Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find wickmanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Sweden
- Mangualde, Portugal
- Little Three Mine, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in metamorphic rocks, pegmatites country — that is the host setting where wickmanite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, barite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wickmanite on the map
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