Koragoite is a rare manganese niobium tantalum oxide. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 1994, from material found at the Vez-Dara River valley, Shakhdara Range, southwestern Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan.
Is this koragoite?
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 koragoite with a known reference. Koragoite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Koragoite leaves a light yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Koragoite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Koragoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Koragoite leaves light yellow, Triplite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Koragoite and vitreous on Triplite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Koragoite leaves light yellow, Wycheproofite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Koragoite and vitreous on Wycheproofite.
Often found alongside koragoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with koragoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺₂Mn³⁺Nb₂(Nb,Ta)₃W₂O₂₀
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 6.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Manganese Deposit
Where rockhounds find koragoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic manganese deposit country, the host setting where koragoite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, barite, braunite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify koragoite?+
Where is koragoite found?+
What rocks look like koragoite?+
What minerals are found with koragoite?+
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Find koragoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
