Jôkokuite is a rare manganese sulfate mineral typically found in weathered hydrothermal deposits. It is best identified by its pale pink color and occurrence as a secondary mineral in manganese-rich environments, often forming as crusts or granular aggregates.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareJôkokuite-Mallardite Group family

Jôkokuite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this jôkokuite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch jôkokuite with a known reference. Jôkokuite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jôkokuite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Jôkokuite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, pale pink, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular, massive, or encrustations.

Often confused with

Jôkokuite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside jôkokuite

Minerals reported to co-occur with jôkokuite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: MnSO₄·5H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 2.10 g/cm³
Colors: Pink Pale Pink Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Granular, Massive, Or Encrustations
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Manganese Ore Deposits
Typical price: $20-100 for small study specimens

Where rockhounds find jôkokuite

Classic worldwide localities

Jokoku mine, Hokkaido, Japan
Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Sterling Hill, New Jersey, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal manganese ore deposits country, the host setting where jôkokuite typically forms. If you start seeing rhodochrosite, pyrite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, massive, or encrustations habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify jôkokuite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include pink, pale pink, colorless.

Where is jôkokuite found?+

Notable localities include Jokoku mine, Hokkaido, Japan; Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia; Sterling Hill, New Jersey, USA.

How much is jôkokuite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-100 for small study specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like jôkokuite?+

Jôkokuite is most often confused with Mallardite, Szomolnokite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with jôkokuite?+

Jôkokuite commonly co-occurs with Rhodochrosite, Pyrite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does jôkokuite form in?+

Jôkokuite typically forms in hydrothermal manganese ore deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is jôkokuite used for?+

Jôkokuite is used in collector.

Find jôkokuite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.