Oxo-mangani-leakeite is an extremely rare member of the amphibole supergroup, specifically a lithium-bearing sodic amphibole found in manganese-rich environments. It typically occurs as small, red-orange prismatic crystals and is primarily a target for advanced mineral collectors. It is currently known from very few global localities, most notably the Kombat Mine in Namibia.
Is this oxo-mangani-leakeite?
4-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 oxo-mangani-leakeite with a known reference. Oxo-mangani-leakeite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red-orange.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Oxo-mangani-leakeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside oxo-mangani-leakeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with oxo-mangani-leakeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaNa₂(Mn₄Li)Si₈O₂₂O₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.25 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the oxidized portions of a manganese deposit, most likely a metamorphosed (upper middle to middle greenschist facies) submarine exhalative deposit
Where rockhounds find oxo-mangani-leakeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hoskins Mine, ~ 3 km west of Grenfell, New South Wales, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the oxidized portions of a manganese deposit, most likely a metamorphosed (upper middle to middle greenschist facies) submarine exhalative deposit. If you start seeing namansilite, aegirine, manganoan pectolite-serandite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify oxo-mangani-leakeite?+
Where is oxo-mangani-leakeite found?+
What rocks look like oxo-mangani-leakeite?+
What minerals are found with oxo-mangani-leakeite?+
What kind of rock does oxo-mangani-leakeite form in?+
What is oxo-mangani-leakeite used for?+
Find oxo-mangani-leakeite on the map
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