Lithiomarsturite is a rare lithium-bearing silicate mineral primarily found in manganese-rich metamorphic environments. It is visually similar to rhodonite and can often be identified by its distinctive pink color, though precise identification usually requires X-ray diffraction or chemical analysis due to its close relationship with other pyroxenoid minerals.
Is this lithiomarsturite?
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 lithiomarsturite with a known reference. Lithiomarsturite sits at Mohs ~6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: very light brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow brown, light yellow, pink brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: euhedral crystals, rhombohedral crystals.
Often confused with
Lithiomarsturite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lithiomarsturite leaves very light brown, Rhodonite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lithiomarsturite leaves very light brown, Pyroxmangite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Lithiomarsturite and pearly to vitreous on Pyroxmangite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lithiomarsturite leaves very light brown, Marsturite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Lithiomarsturite and frosty, on the tips of crystals on Marsturite.
Often found alongside lithiomarsturite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lithiomarsturite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiCaMn₃Si₅O₁₄(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- ~6
- Density
- 3.32 g/cm³
- Streak
- Very light brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Euhedral crystals, rhombohedral crystals
- Cleavage
- {100} and {001}, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Mineralogical research
- Host rock
- In small vugs within a complex Li-Sn-rich pegmatite
Where rockhounds find lithiomarsturite
Classic worldwide localities
- Foote mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland Co., North Carolina, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In small vugs within a complex Li-Sn-rich pegmatite. If you start seeing tetrawickmanite, brannockite, parsettensite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: euhedral crystals, rhombohedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lithiomarsturite?+
Where is lithiomarsturite found?+
What rocks look like lithiomarsturite?+
What minerals are found with lithiomarsturite?+
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Find lithiomarsturite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
