Koragoite is a rare manganese niobium tantalum oxide. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 1994, from material found at the Vez-Dara River valley, Shakhdara Range, southwestern Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan.
Is this koragoite?
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 koragoite with a known reference. Koragoite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, brownish red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy.
Often confused with
Koragoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Koragoite leaves grayish brown, Triplite leaves white to brown; luster reads metallic on Koragoite and vitreous to resinous on Triplite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Koragoite leaves grayish brown, Wycheproofite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Koragoite and vitreous to pearly on Wycheproofite.
Often found alongside koragoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with koragoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺₂Mn³⁺Nb₂(Nb,Ta)₃W₂O₂₀
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 6.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In granitic pegmatites
Where rockhounds find koragoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vez-Dara River valley, Shakhdara Range, in the southwestern Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In granitic pegmatites. If you start seeing hausmannite, barite, braunite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify koragoite?+
Where is koragoite found?+
What rocks look like koragoite?+
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Find koragoite on the map
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