Orlymanite is a rare manganese calcium silicate mineral primarily known from the Kalahari manganese fields in South Africa. It typically forms delicate, pale pink to white 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 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Orlymanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Orlymanite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, pale pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, rosettes, aggregates.
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
- Ca₄Mn₄Si₅O₁₅(OH)₆·9H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.83 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Rosettes, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-200 depending on specimen size and quality
Where rockhounds find orlymanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wessels mine, South Africa
- N'Chwaning mine, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in manganese deposits country — that is the host setting where orlymanite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, bultfonteinite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, rosettes, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find orlymanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
