Beckettite is a rare calcium vanadium aluminum oxide that forms aggregates of grains. Associated minerals include corundum, grossular and anorthite. It was first described from material found in Mexico (meteorite).
Is this beckettite?
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 beckettite with a known reference. Beckettite 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. Beckettite leaves a greenish-gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Beckettite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, blackish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: aggregates of grains.
Often confused with
Beckettite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside beckettite
Minerals reported to co-occur with beckettite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂V₆Al₆O₂₀
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 5.35 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Greenish-gray
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates of Grains
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Zones
Where rockhounds find beckettite
Classic worldwide localities
- material found in Mexico (meteorite)
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal zones country, the host setting where beckettite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, barite, mottramite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a aggregates of grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify beckettite?+
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What rocks look like beckettite?+
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Find beckettite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
