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 — 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 — that is 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.