Caryopilite is a rare manganese-rich phyllosilicate that typically occurs in metamorphosed sedimentary manganese deposits. It is most often found as massive or fibrous aggregates with a distinct pearly luster and a characteristic brownish color, and is prized by mineral collectors specializing in manganese species.
Is this caryopilite?
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 caryopilite with a known reference. Caryopilite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Caryopilite leaves a yellow-brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Caryopilite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, yellow-brown, red-brown, greenish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, lamellar, or massive.
Often confused with
Caryopilite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Caryopilite leaves yellow-brown, Serpentine leaves white; luster reads pearly on Caryopilite and greasy on Serpentine.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Caryopilite leaves yellow-brown, Friedelite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Caryopilite and vitreous on Friedelite.
Often found alongside caryopilite
Minerals reported to co-occur with caryopilite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mn,Mg)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.8-3.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow-brown
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Lamellar, Or Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 depending on specimen quality
Where rockhounds find caryopilite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Sweden
- Jakobsberg, Sweden
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed manganese deposits country — that is the host setting where caryopilite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, braunite, barite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, lamellar, or massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify caryopilite?+
Where is caryopilite found?+
How much is caryopilite worth?+
What rocks look like caryopilite?+
What minerals are found with caryopilite?+
What kind of rock does caryopilite form in?+
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Find caryopilite on the map
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