Hollandite is a manganese-barium oxide often found as striking metallic black prismatic crystals or radiating, needle-like sprays. It is most commonly found in oxidized manganese deposits and is often associated with other manganese oxides, requiring chemical testing for definitive identification.
Is this hollandite?
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 hollandite with a known reference. Hollandite 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. Hollandite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hollandite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, fibrous masses.
Often confused with
Hollandite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hollandite leaves black, Romanèchite leaves shiny brownish black; luster reads metallic on Hollandite and submetallic to dull on Romanèchite.
How to tell apart: Hollandite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6 vs. 4); streak differs — Hollandite leaves black, Manganite leaves dark reddish-brown; luster reads metallic on Hollandite and submetallic on Manganite.
Often found alongside hollandite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hollandite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba(Mn⁴⁺₆Mn³⁺₂)O₁₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 4.7-5.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Fibrous Masses
- Cleavage
- Good in Two Directions
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Manganese
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Metamorphosed Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $15-150 for aesthetic specimens
Where rockhounds find hollandite
Classic worldwide localities
- India
- Germany
- USA
- Sweden
- Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, metamorphosed manganese deposits country — that is the host setting where hollandite typically forms. If you start seeing braunite, hausmannite, bixbyite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, fibrous masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hollandite on the map
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