Tokyoite is a rare barium manganese arsenate chromate mineral that typically forms as small, attractive tabular crystals in oxidized manganese deposits. It is most recognized for its characteristic yellow-green color and is highly prized by systematic mineral collectors. Due to its arsenic content, it should be handled with standard precautions and stored carefully.
Is this tokyoite?
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 tokyoite with a known reference. Tokyoite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tokyoite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tokyoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Tokyoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tokyoite leaves yellowish, Hidalgoite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tokyoite leaves yellowish, Bayldonite leaves pale green; luster reads vitreous on Tokyoite and vitreous to greasy on Bayldonite.
Often found alongside tokyoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tokyoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₂Mn³⁺(AsO₄)(CrO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.96 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find tokyoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kurose mine, Japan
- Hagendorf-Pleystein, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganese ore deposits country, the host setting where tokyoite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, barite, manganese oxides in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tokyoite on the map
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