Monteneveite is a rare member of the garnet group containing antimony and zinc in its structural formula. It is primarily found as small, deep red dodecahedral crystals associated with hydrothermal mineralization in the Monteneve mining district of Italy.
Is this monteneveite?
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 monteneveite with a known reference. Monteneveite sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Monteneveite leaves a brownish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Monteneveite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Monteneveite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Monteneveite leaves brownish black, Andradite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Monteneveite and adamantine to resinous to dull on Andradite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Monteneveite leaves brownish black, Grossularite Garnet leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Monteneveite and vitreous on Grossularite Garnet.
Often found alongside monteneveite
Minerals reported to co-occur with monteneveite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃Sb₂Zn₃O₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 4.72 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish Black
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Metamorphic Rocks
Where rockhounds find monteneveite
Classic worldwide localities
- Monteneve mine, South Tyrol, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in metamorphic rocks country, the host setting where monteneveite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, dolomite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find monteneveite on the map
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