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?
2-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.
- 2Look 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.
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
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Submicrometer grains
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Within an interplanetary dust particle, (IDP), that likely originated from a comet
Where rockhounds find brownleeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Brownlee Mine, Idaho, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Within an interplanetary dust particle, (IDP), that likely originated from a comet. If you start seeing mn-bearing forsterite, enstatite, feni sulfides in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: submicrometer grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify brownleeite?+
Where is brownleeite found?+
What rocks look like brownleeite?+
What minerals are found with brownleeite?+
What kind of rock does brownleeite form in?+
What is brownleeite used for?+
Find brownleeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
