Taneyamalite is a rare manganese-bearing silicate mineral belonging to the ardennite group. It typically occurs as small, delicate, radiating fibrous aggregates within manganese-rich metamorphic environments and is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this taneyamalite?
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 taneyamalite with a known reference. Taneyamalite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Taneyamalite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Taneyamalite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellowish-brown, brown, orange-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: fibrous aggregates, radiating needles.
Often found alongside taneyamalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with taneyamalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,Ca)(Mn,Mg,Fe)₁₂Si₁₁AlO₄₄(OH,O)₁₀
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.55-3.65 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous Aggregates, Radiating Needles
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganese-rich Cherts and Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and provenance
Where rockhounds find taneyamalite
Classic worldwide localities
- Taneyama mine, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
- Cerchiara mine, Liguria, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganese-rich cherts and metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where taneyamalite typically forms. If you start seeing rhodochrosite, quartz, braunite 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 taneyamalite on the map
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