Jouravskite is a rare hydrated calcium manganese sulfate-carbonate member of the ettringite group. It typically occurs as delicate, bright yellow prismatic crystals or radial sprays in manganese mines and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors.
Is this jouravskite?
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 jouravskite with a known reference. Jouravskite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: greenish white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green orange, greenish yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Jouravskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Jouravskite leaves greenish white, Ettringite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Thaumasite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Jouravskite leaves greenish white, Thaumasite leaves white.
Often found alongside jouravskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jouravskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃Mn⁴⁺(SO₄)(CO₃)(OH)₆·12H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 1.81-1.95 g/cm³
- Colors
- Green orangeGreenish yellow
- Streak
- Greenish white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Cleavage
- On {1010}, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Rare in the oxidized portions of manganese deposits; an aluminian variety formed by the action of volcanic fumaroles
Where rockhounds find jouravskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tachgagalt, 17 km south of Ouarzazate, Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco
- N’Chwaning mine, near Kuruman, Cape Province, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Rare in the oxidized portions of manganese deposits; an aluminian variety formed by the action of volcanic fumaroles. If you start seeing manganite, calcite, marokite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find jouravskite on the map
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