Manganiceladonite is a rare manganese-bearing member of the mica group, closely related to celadonite. It typically occurs as fine-grained, earthy, or micaceous crusts and fillings within cavities of altered volcanic rocks, characterized by its distinct orange-brown color.
Is this manganiceladonite?
4-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 manganiceladonite with a known reference. Manganiceladonite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange-brown.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: earthy, micaceous, massive.
Often confused with
Manganiceladonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside manganiceladonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with manganiceladonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KMgMnSi₄O₁₀(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.042 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Earthy, micaceous, massive
- Cleavage
- {001}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific study
- Host rock
- Associated with manganesiferous deposits in metacherts of an ophiolitic sequence
Where rockhounds find manganiceladonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cerchiara mine, Val di Vara, Eastern Liguria, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Associated with manganesiferous deposits in metacherts of an ophiolitic sequence. If you start seeing calcite, hematite, braunite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: earthy, micaceous, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify manganiceladonite?+
Where is manganiceladonite found?+
What rocks look like manganiceladonite?+
What minerals are found with manganiceladonite?+
What kind of rock does manganiceladonite form in?+
What is manganiceladonite used for?+
Find manganiceladonite on the map
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