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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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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