Kenngottite is a rare manganese iron phosphate. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2019, from material found in Czech Republic.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrarePolybasite Group family

Kenngottite

Kenngottite is a rare manganese iron phosphate. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2019, from material found in Czech Republic.

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this kenngottite?

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 kenngottite with a known reference. Kenngottite 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. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: iron-black, dark gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kenngottite leaves black, Stephanite leaves iron-black.

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Often found alongside kenngottite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Mn²⁺₃Fe³⁺₄(PO₄)₄(OH)₆(H₂O)₂
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 3.44 g/cm³
Colors: Iron-black Dark gray
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, massive, granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: hydrothermal veins

Where rockhounds find kenngottite

Classic worldwide localities

Radusa, North Macedonia
Guanajuato, Mexico
Freiberg, Germany

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: hydrothermal veins. If you start seeing arsenopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify kenngottite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include iron-black, dark gray.

Where is kenngottite found?+

Notable localities include Radusa, North Macedonia; Guanajuato, Mexico; Freiberg, Germany.

What rocks look like kenngottite?+

Kenngottite is most often confused with Polybasite, Pearceite, Stephanite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with kenngottite?+

Kenngottite commonly co-occurs with Arsenopyrite, Pyrite, Sphalerite, Calcite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does kenngottite form in?+

Where it forms: hydrothermal veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is kenngottite used for?+

Kenngottite is used in collector.

Find kenngottite on the map

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