Misakiite is a rare copper-manganese sulfate mineral discovered in oxidized sulfide deposits. It typically forms thin, platy, bright green crystals and crusts that are often indistinguishable from similar copper-bearing sulfates without chemical analysis.

Hardness

2.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Misakiite

Hardness: 2.5
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this misakiite?

4-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch misakiite with a known reference. Misakiite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: emerald-green.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.

Often confused with

Misakiite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Brochantite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5).

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Often found alongside misakiite

Minerals reported to co-occur with misakiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₃Mn(OH)₆Cl₂
Mohs hardness: 2.5
Density: 3.42 g/cm³
Colors: Emerald-green
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Platy crystals, crusts
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: oxidized hydrothermal sulfide deposits

Where rockhounds find misakiite

Classic worldwide localities

Sadamisaki Peninsula, Ehime Prefecture, Japan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: oxidized hydrothermal sulfide deposits. If you start seeing cuprite, kutnohorite, malachite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify misakiite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5. Luster: vitreous. Common colors include emerald-green.

Where is misakiite found?+

Notable localities include Sadamisaki Peninsula, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Is misakiite safe to handle?+

Misakiite contains copper. Contains copper and manganese; wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid inhaling dust.

What rocks look like misakiite?+

Misakiite is most often confused with Posnjakite, Langite, Brochantite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with misakiite?+

Misakiite commonly co-occurs with Cuprite, Kutnohorite, Malachite, Chrysocolla, Iyoite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does misakiite form in?+

Where it forms: oxidized hydrothermal sulfide deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is misakiite used for?+

Misakiite is used in collector.

Find misakiite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.