Manganvesuvianite is a rare manganese-dominant member of the vesuvianite group known for its distinctive pinkish-red to reddish-brown coloration. It is primarily found in the Kalahari Manganese Fields of South Africa, often occurring as well-formed tetragonal prisms embedded in calcite or other manganese minerals.
Is this manganvesuvianite?
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 manganvesuvianite with a known reference. Manganvesuvianite sits at Mohs 6-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: colorless.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: deep maroon red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic.
Often confused with
Manganvesuvianite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Manganvesuvianite leaves colorless, Vesuvianite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Manganvesuvianite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6-7 vs. 4.5-5); streak differs, so Manganvesuvianite leaves colorless, Ekanite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Manganvesuvianite leaves colorless, Grossular leaves white.
Often found alongside manganvesuvianite
Minerals reported to co-occur with manganvesuvianite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₁₉MnAl₁₀Mg₂(SiO₄)₁₀(Si₂O₇)₄O(OH)₉
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 3.404 g/cm³
- Colors
- Deep maroon red
- Streak
- Colorless
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In calc-silicate lenses formed by hydrothermal alteration of primary sedimentary and low-grade metamorphic manganese ores
Where rockhounds find manganvesuvianite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wessels mine and N’Chwaning II mine (type locality), Kalahari manganese fields, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In calc-silicate lenses formed by hydrothermal alteration of primary sedimentary and low-grade metamorphic manganese ores. If you start seeing grossular, xonotlite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify manganvesuvianite?+
Where is manganvesuvianite found?+
What rocks look like manganvesuvianite?+
What minerals are found with manganvesuvianite?+
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Find manganvesuvianite on the map
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