Mengeite is a rare barium magnesium manganese phosphate that forms dark orange-red masses. It occurs in a heavily brecciated hydrothermal vein. It was first described from the Spring Creek copper mine, South Flinders Range, South Australia, Australia.

Hardness

7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale Salmon-pink

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareSapphirine Group family

Mengeite

Hardness: 7.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale Salmon-pink
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this mengeite?

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 mengeite with a known reference. Mengeite sits at Mohs 7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Mengeite leaves a pale salmon-pink streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Mengeite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark orange-red.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: masses.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Sapphirine

Mohs 7.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mengeite leaves pale salmon-pink, Sapphirine leaves white.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mengeite leaves pale salmon-pink, Kornerupine leaves white.

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Often found alongside mengeite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ba(Mg,Mn²⁺)Mn³⁺₄(PO₄)₄(OH)₄·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 7.5
Density: 3.40 g/cm³
Colors: Dark Orange-red
Streak: Pale Salmon-pink
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Masses
Cleavage: Excellent On (001)
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Metamorphic Rocks

Where rockhounds find mengeite

Classic worldwide localities

Spring Creek copper mine, South Australia, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphic rocks country, the host setting where mengeite typically forms. If you start seeing sapphirine, kornerupine, phlogopite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify mengeite?+

Mohs hardness is 7.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is pale salmon-pink. Common colors include dark orange-red.

Where is mengeite found?+

Notable localities include Spring Creek copper mine, South Australia, Australia.

What rocks look like mengeite?+

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

What minerals are found with mengeite?+

Mengeite commonly co-occurs with Sapphirine, Kornerupine, Phlogopite, Spinel. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does mengeite form in?+

Mengeite typically forms in metamorphic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is mengeite used for?+

Mengeite is used in collector.

Find mengeite on the map

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