Oxyvanite is a rare vanadium oxide that forms black elongated ellipsoidal grains. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2008. It was first described from the Slyudyanka Complex, southern Baikal region, Russia, Madagascar.
Is this oxyvanite?
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 oxyvanite with a known reference. Oxyvanite sits at Mohs 7-7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Oxyvanite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Oxyvanite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: elongated ellipsoidal grains.
Often confused with
Oxyvanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Oxyvanite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7-7.5 vs. 6); streak differs, so Oxyvanite leaves black, Pseudobrookite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Oxyvanite and adamantine on Pseudobrookite.
How to tell apart: Oxyvanite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7-7.5 vs. 5-6); luster reads resinous on Oxyvanite and submetallic on Manaccanite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Oxyvanite leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads resinous on Oxyvanite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside oxyvanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with oxyvanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- V³⁺₂V⁴⁺O₅
- Mohs hardness
- 7-7.5
- Density
- 4.66 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Elongated Ellipsoidal Grains
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Volcanic Rocks
Where rockhounds find oxyvanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Eifel, Germany
- Puy-de-Dôme, France
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic rocks country, the host setting where oxyvanite typically forms. If you start seeing sanidine, augite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a elongated ellipsoidal grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify oxyvanite?+
Where is oxyvanite found?+
What rocks look like oxyvanite?+
What minerals are found with oxyvanite?+
What kind of rock does oxyvanite form in?+
What is oxyvanite used for?+
Find oxyvanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
