Yoshimuraite is a rare barium-manganese titanium silicate mineral typically found in metamorphic manganese deposits. Collectors should look for its distinctive yellow-brown tabular or bladed crystals associated with other manganese minerals like rhodochrosite.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Yoshimuraite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this yoshimuraite?

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 yoshimuraite with a known reference. Yoshimuraite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Yoshimuraite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Yoshimuraite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, yellow-brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, bladed, lamellar aggregates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Seidozerite

Mohs 4-5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Yoshimuraite leaves white, Seidozerite leaves yellow-brown.

How to tell apart: Baotite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3-4).

Compare →

Often found alongside yoshimuraite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ba₂Mn₂Ti(Si₂O₇)(PO₄)(OH,Cl)
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 3.84 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brown Yellow-brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Bladed, Lamellar Aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Metamorphosed Manganese Ore Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find yoshimuraite

Classic worldwide localities

Tanohata Mine, Japan
Noda-Tamagawa Mine, Japan

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits country, the host setting where yoshimuraite typically forms. If you start seeing manganophyllite, rhodochrosite, bustamite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, bladed, lamellar aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify yoshimuraite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, brown, yellow-brown.

Where is yoshimuraite found?+

Notable localities include Tanohata Mine, Japan; Noda-Tamagawa Mine, Japan.

How much is yoshimuraite 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 yoshimuraite?+

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

What minerals are found with yoshimuraite?+

Yoshimuraite commonly co-occurs with Manganophyllite, Rhodochrosite, Bustamite, Jacobsite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does yoshimuraite form in?+

Yoshimuraite 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 yoshimuraite used for?+

Yoshimuraite is used in collector.

Find yoshimuraite on the map

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