Lithiophorite is a common manganese-lithium oxide mineral that typically occurs as dull to submetallic botryoidal crusts or massive earthy aggregates. It is frequently found in the weathering zones of manganese-rich ore deposits and is often misidentified in the field as general psilomelane or pyrolusite.
Is this lithiophorite?
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 lithiophorite with a known reference. Lithiophorite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lithiophorite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lithiophorite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, bluish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: botryoidal, massive, crusts, or earthy aggregates.
Often confused with
Lithiophorite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Romanèchite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3); streak differs, so Lithiophorite leaves black, Romanèchite leaves shiny brownish black; luster reads submetallic on Lithiophorite and submetallic to dull on Romanèchite.
How to tell apart: Pyrolusite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3); luster reads submetallic on Lithiophorite and metallic on Pyrolusite.
How to tell apart: Hausmannite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Lithiophorite leaves black, Hausmannite leaves brownish-red.
Often found alongside lithiophorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lithiophorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Al,Li)MnO₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, Massive, Crusts, Or Earthy Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Ore Mineral
- Host rock
- Oxidized Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-50 per specimen depending on crystal development and matrix
Where rockhounds find lithiophorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nova Scotia, Canada
- Postmasburg, South Africa
- Salmchâteau, Belgium
- Guanajuato, Mexico
- Minas Gerais, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized manganese deposits country, the host setting where lithiophorite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrolusite, goethite, manganite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal, massive, crusts, or earthy aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lithiophorite on the map
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