Starovaite is a rare potassium copper vanadate discovered in the volcanic fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano. It typically forms small, vibrant yellow to greenish-golden brown to reddish brown tabular crystals that are highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors specializing in rare volcanic species.
Is this starovaite?
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 starovaite with a known reference. Starovaite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Starovaite leaves a yellowish brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Starovaite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: golden brown, reddish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Starovaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Starovaite leaves yellowish brown, Lanarkite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Starovaite and adamantine on Lanarkite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Starovaite leaves yellowish brown, Euchroite leaves pale green; luster reads metallic on Starovaite and vitreous on Euchroite.
Often found alongside starovaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with starovaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KCu₅O(VO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.54 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish Brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarolic Deposits
Where rockhounds find starovaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarolic deposits country, the host setting where starovaite typically forms. If you start seeing tolbachite, tenorite, sylvite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify starovaite?+
Where is starovaite found?+
Is starovaite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like starovaite?+
What minerals are found with starovaite?+
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What is starovaite used for?+
Find starovaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
