Rossovskyite is a rare iron niobium oxide that forms black flattened anhedral grains. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2014. It was first described from Found at the Bulgut occurrence, Altai Mts., Western Mongolia.
Is this rossovskyite?
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 rossovskyite with a known reference. Rossovskyite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rossovskyite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rossovskyite typically shows a metallic to dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: flattened anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Rossovskyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Rossovskyite leaves black, Rutile leaves pale brown to yellow; luster reads metallic to dull on Rossovskyite and metallic to adamantine on Rutile.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic to dull on Rossovskyite and submetallic on Manaccanite.
Often found alongside rossovskyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rossovskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe³⁺NbO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 6.06 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic to Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Flattened Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granitic Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find rossovskyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Rossovsky pegmatite, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in granitic pegmatites country, the host setting where rossovskyite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a flattened anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find rossovskyite on the map
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