Argandite is an exceptionally rare member of the garnet group, specifically a manganese vanadate. It is primarily found as small, yellow, dodecahedral crystals in highly specific metamorphic manganese deposits, most notably the Långban mines in Sweden.
Is this argandite?
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 argandite with a known reference. Argandite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Argandite leaves a pale orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Argandite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: isolated anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Argandite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Spessartine is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7.5 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Argandite leaves pale orange, Spessartine leaves white.
How to tell apart: Andradite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7.5 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Argandite leaves pale orange, Andradite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Argandite and adamantine to resinous to dull on Andradite.
Often found alongside argandite
Minerals reported to co-occur with argandite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn₃(VO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.80-3.90 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Orange
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Isolated Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}, By Analogy with Allactite
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Manganese Ore Deposits
Where rockhounds find argandite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pipji glacier, Turtmann Valley, Central Alps, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits country, the host setting where argandite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, jakobsite, manganosite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a isolated anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify argandite?+
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Find argandite on the map
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