Hiärneite is an extremely rare complex tin-titanium oxide mineral discovered in the Långban mining district of Sweden. It typically occurs as small anhedral grains associated with high-grade manganese ores, making it a highly sought-after species for specialized micromount collectors.

Hardness

Mohs

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrarePerovskite Group family

Hiärneite

Hardness: ~7
Transparency: Translucent

Is this hiärneite?

3-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 hiärneite with a known reference. Hiärneite sits at Mohs ~7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bright red.
3
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic, subhedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Perovskite

Mohs 5.5

How to tell apart: Hiärneite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~7 vs. 5.5).

How to tell apart: Hiärneite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~7 vs. 4).

Compare →

Often found alongside hiärneite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₂Zr₄Mn³⁺SbTiO₁₆
Mohs hardness: ~7
Density: 5.44 g/cm³
Colors: Bright red
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Prismatic, subhedral crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In an iron-manganese skarn deposit

Where rockhounds find hiärneite

Classic worldwide localities

Långban deposit, Filipstad, Sweden

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In an iron-manganese skarn deposit. If you start seeing phlogopite, calcite, fluorapatite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, subhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hiärneite?+

Mohs hardness is ~7. Common colors include bright red.

Where is hiärneite found?+

Notable localities include Långban deposit, Filipstad, Sweden.

Is hiärneite safe to handle?+

Hiärneite contains antimony. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like hiärneite?+

Hiärneite is most often confused with Perovskite, Stannite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with hiärneite?+

Hiärneite commonly co-occurs with Phlogopite, Calcite, Fluorapatite, Svabite, Jacobsite, Magnetoplumbite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hiärneite form in?+

Where it forms: In an iron-manganese skarn deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is hiärneite used for?+

Hiärneite is used in collector.

Find hiärneite on the map

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