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, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brownish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic to metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: 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 vs. 4.5-5); luster reads submetallic to metallic on Ferricoronadite and dull to submetallic on Coronadite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ferricoronadite leaves brownish black, Hollandite leaves black; luster reads submetallic to metallic on Ferricoronadite and metallic, splendent on Hollandite.
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(Mn₆Fe₂)O₁₆
- Mohs hardness
- ~6
- Density
- 5.538 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish black
- Luster
- Submetallic to metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, massive, botryoidal
- Cleavage
- Distinct on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In hydrothermal veins that cut metamorphic rocks in an orogenic complex
Where rockhounds find ferricoronadite
Classic worldwide localities
- Found in the Babuna River valley, in talus at the bottom of Kalugeri Hill, near Nežilovo village, about 40 km SW of Veles, Republic of Macedonia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In hydrothermal veins that cut metamorphic rocks in an orogenic complex. If you start seeing franklinite, gahnite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous, massive, botryoidal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ferricoronadite?+
Where is ferricoronadite found?+
Is ferricoronadite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like ferricoronadite?+
What minerals are found with ferricoronadite?+
What kind of rock does ferricoronadite form in?+
What is ferricoronadite used for?+
Find ferricoronadite on the map
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