Wuyanzhiite is a rare lithium-manganese silicate mineral discovered in the Wuyan manganese deposit in China. It typically appears as reddish to brownish grains or masses within metamorphic manganese ores, closely resembling rhodonite in appearance. Due to its scarcity, it is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this wuyanzhiite?
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 wuyanzhiite with a known reference. Wuyanzhiite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wuyanzhiite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wuyanzhiite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, orange, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Wuyanzhiite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Rhodonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6.5 vs. 3-4).
How to tell apart: Bustamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6.5 vs. 3-4); luster reads vitreous on Wuyanzhiite and vitreous to pearly on Bustamite.
Often found alongside wuyanzhiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wuyanzhiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Li₂Mn₄Si₄O₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.32 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find wuyanzhiite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wuyan Mine, Guangdong, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic manganese deposits country — that is the host setting where wuyanzhiite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, rhodonite, spessartine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wuyanzhiite on the map
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