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 — that is 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
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Find santaclaraite on the map
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