Maneckiite is a rare phosphate mineral found as part of the wicksite group in complex phosphate-bearing granitic pegmatites. It typically occurs as small, dark brown bladed crystals associated with other secondary phosphate minerals.
Is this maneckiite?
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 maneckiite with a known reference. Maneckiite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Maneckiite leaves a colorless streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Maneckiite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: bladed crystals.
Often confused with
Maneckiite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Maneckiite leaves colorless, Wicksite leaves green; luster reads vitreous on Maneckiite and submetallic on Wicksite.
How to tell apart: Graftonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 4); streak differs, so Maneckiite leaves colorless, Graftonite leaves white.
Often found alongside maneckiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with maneckiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Fe²⁺₂Mg₂(Fe³⁺,Mn³⁺)(PO₄)₄(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Colorless
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals
- Cleavage
- Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find maneckiite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kiełczygłów, Poland
- Mangualde, Portugal
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where maneckiite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, graftonite, siderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify maneckiite?+
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What rocks look like maneckiite?+
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Find maneckiite on the map
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