Coronadite is a dark, opaque lead manganese oxide typically found in the oxidized zones of ore deposits. It frequently forms distinctive botryoidal, fibrous, or massive aggregates that are hard to distinguish from other manganese oxides without analytical testing.
Is this coronadite?
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 coronadite with a known reference. Coronadite sits at Mohs 4.5-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Coronadite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Coronadite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, botryoidal, fibrous, or crusts.
Often confused with
Coronadite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Coronadite leaves black, Romanèchite leaves shiny brownish black; luster reads submetallic on Coronadite and submetallic to dull on Romanèchite.
How to tell apart: Pyrolusite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 4.5-5); luster reads submetallic on Coronadite and metallic on Pyrolusite.
How to tell apart: Hollandite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 4.5-5); luster reads submetallic on Coronadite and metallic on Hollandite.
Often found alongside coronadite
Minerals reported to co-occur with coronadite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb(Mn⁶⁺₄Mn²⁺₈)O₁₆
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 5.3-5.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Botryoidal, Fibrous, Or Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Manganese
- Host rock
- Oxidized Lead-manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-100 per specimen depending on crystal quality and matrix
Where rockhounds find coronadite
Classic worldwide localities
- Coronado Mine, Arizona, USA
- Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
- Kapnik, Romania
- Kuruman, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized lead-manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where coronadite typically forms. If you start seeing wulfenite, vanadinite, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, botryoidal, fibrous, or crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify coronadite?+
Where is coronadite found?+
How much is coronadite worth?+
Is coronadite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like coronadite?+
What minerals are found with coronadite?+
What kind of rock does coronadite form in?+
What is coronadite used for?+
Find coronadite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
