Magnesiocanutite is a rare hydrous manganese arsenate mineral typically occurring as small, pale yellow tabular crystals in arid environments. It is primarily found within the highly specific oxidation zones of the Torrecillas mine in Chile. Due to its extreme rarity and arsenic content, specimens are intended strictly for advanced mineral collections.
Is this magnesiocanutite?
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 magnesiocanutite with a known reference. Magnesiocanutite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white to very pale pink.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale brownish pink, rose-pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Magnesiocanutite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Magnesiocanutite leaves white to very pale pink, Canutite leaves pale tan.
How to tell apart: Allactite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Magnesiocanutite leaves white to very pale pink, Allactite leaves gray to faint brown.
Often found alongside magnesiocanutite
Minerals reported to co-occur with magnesiocanutite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaMnMg₂[AsO₄]₂[AsO₂(OH)₂]
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.957 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pale brownish pinkRose-pink
- Streak
- White to very pale pink
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010} and {101}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- From the oxidation of native arsenic and other As-bearing primary phases, followed by later alteration by saline fluids derived from evaporating meteoric water under hyperarid conditions
Where rockhounds find magnesiocanutite
Classic worldwide localities
- Torrecillas mine, northern Atacama Desert, Iquique Province, Tarapacá Region, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: From the oxidation of native arsenic and other As-bearing primary phases, followed by later alteration by saline fluids derived from evaporating meteoric water under hyperarid conditions. If you start seeing anhydrite, canutite, halite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify magnesiocanutite?+
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What rocks look like magnesiocanutite?+
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Find magnesiocanutite on the map
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