Orlymanite is a rare manganese calcium silicate mineral primarily known from the Kalahari manganese fields in South Africa. It typically forms delicate, dark brown platy crystal rosettes that are highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors. It is most easily identified by its distinct platy habit and association with other manganese minerals in vugs.
Is this orlymanite?
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 orlymanite with a known reference. Orlymanite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy, rosette.
Often confused with
Orlymanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside orlymanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with orlymanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄Mn₃Si₈O₂₀(OH)₆·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 2.7-2.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy, rosette
- Cleavage
- {0001}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Apparently as a vein mineral in a manganese ore body
Where rockhounds find orlymanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wessels mine, Kalahari manganese field, Cape Province, South Africa (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Apparently as a vein mineral in a manganese ore body. If you start seeing inesite, hematite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy, rosette. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify orlymanite?+
Where is orlymanite found?+
What rocks look like orlymanite?+
What minerals are found with orlymanite?+
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What is orlymanite used for?+
Find orlymanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
