RocksdayManganite
Manganite is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 4 and a submetallic luster, usually black or gray.
Black manganese oxide-hydroxide in striated prisms. The streak is brown, not black.
How to identify manganite
- Black prisms with lengthwise striations.
- Reddish-brown to dark brown streak.
- Hardness 4 — a knife scratches it.
Often confused with
Where it's found
- Ilfeld, Harz, Germany
- Cornwall, England
- Michigan
Uses
Manganese ore.
Rock tumbling
Not suitable for tumbling.
Did you know?
The classic prisms are from Ilfeld in the Harz Mountains.
Manganite FAQ
What is manganite?
Manganite is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 4 and a submetallic luster, usually black or gray. Black manganese oxide-hydroxide in striated prisms. The streak is brown, not black.
How do you identify manganite?
Black prisms with lengthwise striations. Reddish-brown to dark brown streak. Hardness 4 — a knife scratches it.
How hard is manganite?
Manganite has a Mohs hardness of 4. A steel knife scratches Manganite, but a fingernail doesn't.
Where is manganite found?
Notable localities include Ilfeld, Harz, Germany; Cornwall, England; and Michigan.
What is manganite used for?
Manganese ore.
Can you tumble manganite?
It isn't a good choice for a rock tumbler.
What is manganite often confused with?
Manganite is most often confused with Pyrolusite, Goethite and Psilomelane. Pyrolusite is softer, soils the fingers and has a black streak. Goethite is usually brown and fibrous, with a yellow-brown streak. Psilomelane is botryoidal and harder, not prismatic.
Think you could spot it from a blurry close-up?
Play today's Rocksday