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, so Caryopilite leaves yellow-brown, Serpentine leaves white; luster reads pearly on Caryopilite and greasy on Serpentine.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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