Guide
Manganite specimens for sale
32 for sale · $200–$8,500 USD
101 in the gallery
Manganite is a manganese oxide with hydroxide, forming as isometric to monoclinic crystals in layered, platy aggregates. Its color ranges from deep olive green to black, and it often displays a metallic to earthy luster on exposed faces. Specimens typically form in oxidized zones of manganese-rich deposits, assembling as lath-like or tabular crystals that can be highly lustrous under good crystallization.
- Formula
- Mn3+O(OH)
- Rarity
- Common
- Stability
- Moderately Stable
- Collector interest
- Moderate Interest
- Classification notes
- Oxide-hydroxide; diaspore group
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- monoclinic
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Specific gravity
- 4.2–4.4
- Luster
- metallic, submetallic, dull
- Transparency
- opaque
- Color
- black, gray, brown
- Streak
- brown, black
- Cleavage
- perfect
- Fracture
- uneven
- Crystal habit
- prismatic, bladed, acicular, fibrous, radiating, botryoidal, granular, massive
- Classic / historic
Buy Manganite specimens
View all 32Where Manganite is found
Top localities
- Ilfeld35 specimens
- N'Chwaning I Mine18 specimens
- Montreal Mine15 specimens
- N'Chwaning II Mine5 specimens
- N'Chwaning Mines5 specimens
- Montreal Mine4 specimens
- Wessels Mine3 specimens
- Hotazel Mine2 specimens
- Lucy Mine2 specimens
- South Africa1 specimen
Guides
All guides
Guide
Manganite from Wessels Mine, South Africa
Manganite from Wessels Mine, South Africa, with steel-gray blades and platy botryoids; a rare, desirable hydrothermal manganese specimen for collectors.Read guide
Guide
Manganite from N’Chwaning Mines, South Africa
Manganite from N’Chwaning Mines, South Africa — a Kalahari manganese locality prized for metallic-black crystals and rhodochrosite and calcite.Read guide
Guide
Manganite from Ilfeld, Germany
Manganite from Ilfeld, Germany — type locality and historic benchmark for collectors, featuring jet-black prisms with brilliant luster and striking form.Read guideAbout Manganite
Notable localities include historic manganese deposits in Germany and world-class find sites in South Africa, the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Collectors prize well-formed, sharp crystals with rich color and clean faces, as well as specimens showing dramatic fan-like groups or distinctive rosettes. Manganite’s relative rarity and striking habit make it a sought-after material for display as individual crystals or cabinet-sized clusters, often pairing well with other manganese minerals for contrast. Its attractive morphology and bold coloration help it stand out in a collection focused on oxide minerals with strong optical character.
