Fianelite is a rare manganese vanadate that forms red-orange rare crystals. It occurs in fractures crosscutting veinlets in metamorphosed Fe-Mn ores. It was first described from Fianel mine, Val Ferrera, Graubünden, Switzerland.
Is this fianelite?
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 fianelite with a known reference. Fianelite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fianelite leaves a orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fianelite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: rare crystals.
Often confused with
Fianelite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Fianelite leaves orange, Austinite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Fianelite and subadamantine to silky on Austinite.
How to tell apart: Conichalcite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Fianelite leaves orange, Conichalcite leaves light green.
Often found alongside fianelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fianelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺₂V₂O₇·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.21 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Orange
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Rare Crystals
- Cleavage
- Parallel {001}(?) and {100}(?), Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Dolomitic Marbles
Where rockhounds find fianelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fianel mine, Val Ferrera, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Look in dolomitic marbles country, the host setting where fianelite typically forms. If you start seeing arsenates, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rare crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find fianelite on the map
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