Marokite is an uncommon manganese oxide mineral primarily known from the Tachgagalt mine in Morocco. It typically occurs as dark, submetallic tabular crystals embedded within manganese-rich host rocks alongside other manganese minerals.
Is this marokite?
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 marokite with a known reference. Marokite sits at Mohs 6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Marokite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Marokite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Marokite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside marokite
Minerals reported to co-occur with marokite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMn₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 4.87 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganese Deposits in Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail depending on matrix and crystal size
Where rockhounds find marokite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tachgagalt mine, Morocco
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganese deposits in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where marokite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, braunite, hetaerolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find marokite on the map
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