Povondraite is a rare member of the tourmaline group, typically forming as fine, acicular needles or dark, fibrous mats. Collectors primarily prize it for its unique iron-rich composition and its relative scarcity in well-crystallized form compared to common black schorl.
Is this povondraite?
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 povondraite with a known reference. Povondraite sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Povondraite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Povondraite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: acicular needles, radiating fibrous aggregates.
Often confused with
Povondraite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside povondraite
Minerals reported to co-occur with povondraite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaFe³⁺₃(Fe³⁺₄Mg₂)Si₆O₁₈(BO₃)₃(OH)₃O
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 3.36 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Needles, Radiating Fibrous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Granitic Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find povondraite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cristalmuya gorge, Chapare Province, Cochabamba Department, Bolivia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in granitic pegmatites country, the host setting where povondraite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular needles, radiating fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify povondraite?+
Where is povondraite found?+
What rocks look like povondraite?+
What minerals are found with povondraite?+
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Find povondraite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
