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 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: blackish gray to greenish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull to metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, bluish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: botryoidal.
Often confused with
Lithiophorite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Psilomelane is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Lithiophorite leaves blackish gray to greenish black, Psilomelane leaves brownish black; luster reads dull to metallic on Lithiophorite and submetallic on Psilomelane.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lithiophorite leaves blackish gray to greenish black, Pyrolusite leaves black, bluish black; luster reads dull to metallic on Lithiophorite and metallic on Pyrolusite.
How to tell apart: Hausmannite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Lithiophorite leaves blackish gray to greenish black, Hausmannite leaves dark reddish brown; luster reads dull to metallic on Lithiophorite and submetallic on Hausmannite.
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
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 3.14-3.37 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Blackish gray to greenish black
- Luster
- Dull to metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal
- Cleavage
- {0001}, micaceous
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Ore mineral
- Host rock
- A relatively common constituent of “wad” in the oxidized zones of hydrothermal ore deposits and sedimentary manganese deposits; in banded iron formations; from lithium-rich granite pegmatites
Where rockhounds find lithiophorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- White Oak Mountain, Bradley Co., Tennessee, USA
- Artillery Mountains, Mohave Co., Arizona, USA
- Schneeberg and Eibenstock, Saxony, Germany
- St. Andreasberg, Harz Mountains, Germany
- Saalfeld, Thuringia, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A relatively common constituent of “wad” in the oxidized zones of hydrothermal ore deposits and sedimentary manganese deposits; in banded iron formations; from lithium-rich granite pegmatites. If you start seeing cryptomelane, hollandite, braunite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: botryoidal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lithiophorite?+
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What rocks look like lithiophorite?+
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Find lithiophorite on the map
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