Brownleeite is a rare manganese silicide that forms submicrometer grains. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2008. It was first described from material found in IDP (interplanetary dust particle) over USA.
Is this brownleeite?
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 brownleeite with a known reference. Brownleeite 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. Brownleeite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Brownleeite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: submicrometer grains.
Often confused with
Brownleeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Brownleeite leaves yellow, Sphalerite leaves white to yellow-brown; luster reads metallic on Brownleeite and resinous to submetallic on Sphalerite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Brownleeite leaves yellow, Stannite leaves blackish.
Often found alongside brownleeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with brownleeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnSi
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 2.913 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Submicrometer Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
Where rockhounds find brownleeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Brownlee Mine, Idaho, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where brownleeite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a submicrometer grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find brownleeite on the map
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