How do I identify Braunite?

Braunite can be identified by its hardness of 6 - 6.5 on the Mohs scale, Brownish black color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Braunite?

Braunite typically appears in Brownish black, steel-grey. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Braunite?

Braunite has a hardness of 6 - 6.5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

How to Identify Braunite | Properties, Meaning & Uses

What is Braunite?

Braunite is a silicate mineral containing both di- and tri-valent manganese with the chemical formula: MnMn6[O8|SiO4]. Common impurities include iron, calcium, boron, barium, titanium, aluminium, and magnesium. Braunite forms grey/black tetragonal crystals and has a Mohs hardness of 6 - 6.5. It was named after the Wilhelm von Braun (1790–1872) of Gotha, Thuringia, Germany. A calcium iron bearing variant, named braunite II (formula: Ca(Mn,Fe)14SiO24), was discovered and described in 1967 from Kalahari, Cape Province, South Africa.

Braunite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Braunite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Braunite Localities Map

See where Braunite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.