Lipuite

lipuite

sugilite

taniajacoite

norrishite

Images

Formula: KNa₈Mn³⁺₅Mg_0.5[Si₁₂O₃₀(OH)₄](PO₄)O₂(OH)₂.4H₂O
Phyllosilicate (sheet silicate), manganese-bearing mineral
Specific gravity: 2.83
Hardness: 5
Streak: Red
Colour: Dark red-brown

Metamorphic environments

Lipuite is a rare mineral, approved in 2015 and, to date (December 2025), known only from the type locality.

Localities

At the type locality, the N'Chwaning III Mine, N'Chwaning Mines, Kuruman, Kalahari manganese field, Northern Cape, South Africa, lipuite occurs in a metamorphosed manganese-zinc ore body as platy, tabular, or granular crystals and veined agglomerate. Associated minerals include manganese-bearing sugilite, taniajacoite, pectolite, richterite, norrishite and namansilite (MM 83.5.645-654).
Lipuite from the N'Chwaning III Mine - Image

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