Akatoreite is a rare manganese silicate mineral typically found as bladed, reddish-brown crystals or fibrous aggregates. It was originally discovered in the metamorphic manganese deposits of New Zealand and remains primarily a specimen for advanced mineral collectors due to its scarcity.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Akatoreite

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this akatoreite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch akatoreite with a known reference. Akatoreite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Akatoreite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Akatoreite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: reddish-brown, orange-brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, fibrous aggregates.

Often confused with

Akatoreite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Bustamite

Mohs 5.5-6.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Akatoreite and vitreous to pearly on Bustamite.

Often found alongside akatoreite

Minerals reported to co-occur with akatoreite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: (Mn,Fe)₉Si₈O₂₀(OH)₁₀
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 3.37 g/cm³
Colors: Reddish-brown Orange-brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Bladed Crystals, Fibrous Aggregates
Cleavage: Good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Metamorphic Manganese-rich Rocks
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find akatoreite

Classic worldwide localities

Akatore Creek, Otago, New Zealand

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphic manganese-rich rocks country — that is the host setting where akatoreite typically forms. If you start seeing tephroite, spessartine, jacobsite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify akatoreite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include reddish-brown, orange-brown.

Where is akatoreite found?+

Notable localities include Akatore Creek, Otago, New Zealand.

How much is akatoreite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like akatoreite?+

Akatoreite is most often confused with Bustamite, Rhodonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with akatoreite?+

Akatoreite commonly co-occurs with tephroite, spessartine, jacobsite, rhodochrosite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does akatoreite form in?+

Akatoreite typically forms in metamorphic manganese-rich rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is akatoreite used for?+

Akatoreite is used in collector.

Find akatoreite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.