Sveinbergeite is a rare calcium iron titanium silicate, typically dark green. It is a late forming mineral in cavities in syenite pegmatite in an alkaline plutonic complex. It was first described from Buer syenite pegmatite, Sandefjord, Oslo Region, Norway.
Is this sveinbergeite?
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 sveinbergeite with a known reference. Sveinbergeite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sveinbergeite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sveinbergeite typically shows a vitreous to pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates.
Often confused with
Sveinbergeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Sveinbergeite leaves pale green, Lamprophyllite leaves white; luster reads vitreous to pearly on Sveinbergeite and submetallic on Lamprophyllite.
How to tell apart: Ericssonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Sveinbergeite leaves pale green, Ericssonite leaves light brown; luster reads vitreous to pearly on Sveinbergeite and vitreous on Ericssonite.
Often found alongside sveinbergeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sveinbergeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (H₂O)₂[Ca(H₂O)](Fe²⁺₆Fe³⁺)Ti₂(Si₄O₁₂)₂O₂(OH)₄[(OH)(H₂O)]
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.152 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Vitreous to Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Tabular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Nepheline Syenite Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find sveinbergeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sveinberget, Norway
- Langesundsfjord, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in nepheline syenite pegmatites country, the host setting where sveinbergeite typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, aegirine, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sveinbergeite?+
Where is sveinbergeite found?+
What rocks look like sveinbergeite?+
What minerals are found with sveinbergeite?+
What kind of rock does sveinbergeite form in?+
What is sveinbergeite used for?+
Find sveinbergeite on the map
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