Hansesmarkite is a very rare manganese calcium silicate mineral occurring in phosphate-rich granitic pegmatites. It typically forms as delicate, platy crystals or radiating sprays and is primarily valued by advanced micromount collectors due to its extreme scarcity.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale Yellow

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Hansesmarkite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale Yellow
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this hansesmarkite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch hansesmarkite with a known reference. Hansesmarkite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hansesmarkite leaves a pale yellow streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Hansesmarkite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates.

Often confused with

Hansesmarkite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Lawsonite

Mohs 6

How to tell apart: Lawsonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 3-4); streak differs, so Hansesmarkite leaves pale yellow, Lawsonite leaves white.

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Often found alongside hansesmarkite

Minerals reported to co-occur with hansesmarkite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CaMn₂Si₂O₇(OH)₂·H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 2.81 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brownish-yellow
Streak: Pale Yellow
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Platy Crystals, Radial Aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect On {001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Granite Pegmatites

Where rockhounds find hansesmarkite

Classic worldwide localities

AS Granit larvikite quarry, Tvedalen, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

Field-hunting tip

Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where hansesmarkite typically forms. If you start seeing hagendorfite, triphylite, rockbridgeite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hansesmarkite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is pale yellow. Common colors include yellow, brownish-yellow.

Where is hansesmarkite found?+

Notable localities include AS Granit larvikite quarry, Tvedalen, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway.

What rocks look like hansesmarkite?+

Hansesmarkite is most often confused with Lawsonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with hansesmarkite?+

Hansesmarkite commonly co-occurs with Hagendorfite, Triphylite, Rockbridgeite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hansesmarkite form in?+

Hansesmarkite typically forms in granite pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is hansesmarkite used for?+

Hansesmarkite is used in collector.

Find hansesmarkite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.