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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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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