Santaclaraite is a rare manganese silicate mineral primarily found in the metamorphosed chert-shale sequence of the Santa Clara Mine. It usually forms as attractive orange-colored fibrous or acicular aggregates that can be visually distinguished from the more common rhodonite by its distinct crystal habit and occurrence.
Is this santaclaraite?
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 santaclaraite with a known reference. Santaclaraite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Santaclaraite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Santaclaraite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, reddish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: fibrous aggregates, radiating needles.
Often confused with
Santaclaraite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside santaclaraite
Minerals reported to co-occur with santaclaraite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMn₄Si₅O₁₄(OH)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.31 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous Aggregates, Radiating Needles
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find santaclaraite
Classic worldwide localities
- Santa Clara Mine, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic manganese deposits country, the host setting where santaclaraite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, calcite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous aggregates, radiating needles habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify santaclaraite?+
Where is santaclaraite found?+
How much is santaclaraite worth?+
What rocks look like santaclaraite?+
What minerals are found with santaclaraite?+
What kind of rock does santaclaraite form in?+
What is santaclaraite used for?+
Find santaclaraite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
