Tetrawickmanite is a rare manganese tin hydroxide that typically occurs as small, glassy, yellow-to-orange pseudo-octahedral crystals. It is best identified through its specific occurrence in manganese mines and its distinct tetragonal crystal habit compared to the cubic wickmanite.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareWickmanite Group family

Tetrawickmanite

Hardness: 4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this tetrawickmanite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch tetrawickmanite with a known reference. Tetrawickmanite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tetrawickmanite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Tetrawickmanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-orange, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: equant pseudo-octahedral crystals.

Often confused with

Tetrawickmanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tetrawickmanite leaves white, Stottite leaves brownish black; luster reads vitreous on Tetrawickmanite and adamantine on Stottite.

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Often found alongside tetrawickmanite

Minerals reported to co-occur with tetrawickmanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: MnSn(OH)₆
Mohs hardness: 4
Density: 5.45 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Yellow-orange Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Equant Pseudo-octahedral Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Metamorphosed Manganese Ore Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find tetrawickmanite

Classic worldwide localities

Långban, Sweden
Kajlidongri, India

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits country, the host setting where tetrawickmanite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, pyrochroite, jacobsite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant pseudo-octahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify tetrawickmanite?+

Mohs hardness is 4. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, yellow-orange, brown.

Where is tetrawickmanite found?+

Notable localities include Långban, Sweden; Kajlidongri, India.

How much is tetrawickmanite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like tetrawickmanite?+

Tetrawickmanite is most often confused with Wickmanite, Stottite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with tetrawickmanite?+

Tetrawickmanite commonly co-occurs with Hausmannite, Pyrochroite, Jacobsite, Manganosite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does tetrawickmanite form in?+

Tetrawickmanite typically forms in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is tetrawickmanite used for?+

Tetrawickmanite is used in collector.

Find tetrawickmanite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.