Ferricoronadite is a rare manganese-lead oxide mineral belonging to the hollandite group. It typically occurs as dense, black, metallic masses or crusts in oxidized mineral deposits. Collectors usually identify it via its association with other manganese minerals and its distinct, heavy, metallic appearance.
Is this ferricoronadite?
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 ferricoronadite with a known reference. Ferricoronadite sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ferricoronadite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ferricoronadite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: fibrous, massive, botryoidal.
Often confused with
Ferricoronadite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Ferricoronadite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6-7 vs. 4.5-5); luster reads metallic on Ferricoronadite and submetallic on Coronadite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Ferricoronadite leaves black, Romanèchite leaves shiny brownish black; luster reads metallic on Ferricoronadite and submetallic to dull on Romanèchite.
Often found alongside ferricoronadite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ferricoronadite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb(Fe⁴⁺₆Mn²⁺₂)O₁₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 4.86 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Massive, Botryoidal
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Weathered Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find ferricoronadite
Classic worldwide localities
- Broken Hill, Australia
- Piesberg, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, weathered manganese deposits country — that is the host setting where ferricoronadite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, pyrolusite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, massive, botryoidal habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ferricoronadite?+
Where is ferricoronadite found?+
How much is ferricoronadite worth?+
Is ferricoronadite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like ferricoronadite?+
What minerals are found with ferricoronadite?+
What kind of rock does ferricoronadite form in?+
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Find ferricoronadite on the map
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