Greenwoodite is a rare barium vanadium iron silicate that forms black semi-prismatic to tabular grains. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2010. It was first described from Wigwam deposit, Akolkolex River area, southeast of Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada.
Is this greenwoodite?
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 greenwoodite with a known reference. Greenwoodite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Greenwoodite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Greenwoodite typically shows a metallic to dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: semi-prismatic to tabular grains.
Often confused with
Greenwoodite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Greenwoodite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Greenwoodite leaves pale green, Crocoite leaves orange-yellow; luster reads metallic to dull on Greenwoodite and adamantine on Crocoite.
How to tell apart: Fayalite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 5); streak differs, so Greenwoodite leaves pale green, Fayalite leaves white; luster reads metallic to dull on Greenwoodite and vitreous on Fayalite.
Often found alongside greenwoodite
Minerals reported to co-occur with greenwoodite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₂₋ₓ(V³⁺OH)ₓV³⁺₉(Fe³⁺,Fe²⁺)₂Si₂O₂₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 4.81 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Metallic to Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Semi-prismatic to Tabular Grains
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
Where rockhounds find greenwoodite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wigwam deposit, British Columbia, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where greenwoodite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, galena, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a semi-prismatic to tabular grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify greenwoodite?+
Where is greenwoodite found?+
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What rocks look like greenwoodite?+
What minerals are found with greenwoodite?+
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Find greenwoodite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
