Manganoquadratite is an extremely rare silver manganese arsenic sulfosalt discovered in hydrothermal deposits. It typically forms thin, tabular crystals that are difficult to distinguish from associated sulfosalts without advanced testing.
Is this manganoquadratite?
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 manganoquadratite with a known reference. Manganoquadratite 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. Manganoquadratite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Manganoquadratite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Manganoquadratite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Manganoquadratite leaves white, Proustite leaves scarlet; luster reads vitreous on Manganoquadratite and adamantine on Proustite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Manganoquadratite leaves white, Pyrargyrite leaves red; luster reads vitreous on Manganoquadratite and metallic to adamantine on Pyrargyrite.
Often found alongside manganoquadratite
Minerals reported to co-occur with manganoquadratite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AgMnAsS₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find manganoquadratite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jiujia mine, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where manganoquadratite typically forms. If you start seeing realgar, orpiment, arsenopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find manganoquadratite on the map
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