Krautite is a rare manganese arsenate mineral that typically forms delicate, pale rose platy crystals. It is primarily found in manganese ore deposits where it occurs as a secondary mineral in hydrothermal environments.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White with a faint rose tint

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Krautite

Hardness: <4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White with a faint rose tint
Transparency: Translucent

Is this krautite?

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 krautite with a known reference. Krautite sits at Mohs <4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white with a faint rose tint.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: light pink.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, divergent clusters.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Krautite is noticeably harder (Mohs <4 vs. 2).

Compare →

Often found alongside krautite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Mn(AsO₃OH)·H₂O
Mohs hardness: <4
Density: 3.30 g/cm³
Colors: Light pink
Streak: White with a faint rose tint
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Platy crystals, divergent clusters
Cleavage: Perfect micaceous, on {010}; good on {101]}; distinct on {101}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Found on museum mineral specimens

Where rockhounds find krautite

Classic worldwide localities

Săcărı̂mb (Nagyág) and Cavnic (Kapnikbánya), Romania
Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Found on museum mineral specimens. If you start seeing rhodochrosite, nagyágite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, divergent clusters. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify krautite?+

Mohs hardness is <4. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white with a faint rose tint. Common colors include light pink.

Where is krautite found?+

Notable localities include Săcărı̂mb (Nagyág) and Cavnic (Kapnikbánya), Romania; Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic.

Is krautite safe to handle?+

Krautite contains arsenic and calls for real care. Contains arsenic, which is toxic. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid inhaling dust or powder.

What rocks look like krautite?+

Krautite is most often confused with Haigerachite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with krautite?+

Krautite commonly co-occurs with Rhodochrosite, Nagyágite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does krautite form in?+

Where it forms: Found on museum mineral specimens. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is krautite used for?+

Krautite is used in collector.

Find krautite on the map

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