Wernerkrauseite is a rare manganese oxide mineral primarily identified in the Kalahari Manganese Field. It typically appears as dark brown to black platy crystals and is often found associated with other manganese-rich minerals in metamorphosed sedimentary sequences.
Is this wernerkrauseite?
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 wernerkrauseite with a known reference. Wernerkrauseite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wernerkrauseite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wernerkrauseite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular.
Often confused with
Wernerkrauseite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Hausmannite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 4); streak differs, so Wernerkrauseite leaves brown, Hausmannite leaves brownish-red.
How to tell apart: Bixbyite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 4); streak differs, so Wernerkrauseite leaves brown, Bixbyite leaves black; luster reads submetallic on Wernerkrauseite and metallic on Bixbyite.
Often found alongside wernerkrauseite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wernerkrauseite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMn³⁺₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Granular
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganiferous Sedimentary Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find wernerkrauseite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kalahari Manganese Field, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganiferous sedimentary rocks country, the host setting where wernerkrauseite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, braunite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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