Kuliginite is an extremely rare magnesium-manganese hydroxide chloride mineral found in specific manganese skarn environments. It typically occurs as small, pale yellow tabular crystals and is known almost exclusively from the type locality in the Jakobsberg Mine, Sweden.
Is this kuliginite?
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 kuliginite with a known reference. Kuliginite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kuliginite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kuliginite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Kuliginite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kuliginite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kuliginite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₃Mn²⁺₂Fe³⁺(OH)₈Cl₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.62 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Manganese Deposit
- Typical price
- n/a - rare research material
Where rockhounds find kuliginite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jakobsberg Mine, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic manganese deposit country — that is the host setting where kuliginite typically forms. If you start seeing magnussonite, hedyphane, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kuliginite on the map
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