Henritermierite is a rare calcium-manganese silicate member of the garnet group that crystallizes in the tetragonal system. It is primarily found as distinct, brownish, dodecahedral crystals in manganese-rich environments, most notably at the Tachgagalt mine in Morocco.
Is this henritermierite?
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 henritermierite with a known reference. Henritermierite 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. Henritermierite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Henritermierite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Henritermierite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside henritermierite
Minerals reported to co-occur with henritermierite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃Mn³⁺₂(SiO₄)₂(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find henritermierite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tachgagalt, Morocco
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where henritermierite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, quartz, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find henritermierite on the map
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