Ternovite is a rare magnesium niobium oxide, typically white. It occurs as encrustations in hydrothermal alteration zones of carbonatite. It was first described from the Vuoriyarvi massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.
Is this ternovite?
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 ternovite with a known reference. Ternovite 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. Ternovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ternovite typically shows a adamantine to silky luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: encrustations.
Often confused with
Ternovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ternovite leaves white, Todorokite leaves black; luster reads adamantine to silky on Ternovite and metallic to dull to silky on Todorokite.
How to tell apart: Ternovite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 1.5); streak differs, so Ternovite leaves white, Birnessite leaves brownish-black; luster reads adamantine to silky on Ternovite and dull on Birnessite.
How to tell apart: Romanèchite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3); streak differs, so Ternovite leaves white, Romanèchite leaves shiny brownish black; luster reads adamantine to silky on Ternovite and submetallic to dull on Romanèchite.
Often found alongside ternovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ternovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MgNb₄O₁₁·8-12H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.95 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine to Silky
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Encrustations
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Manganese Deposits
Where rockhounds find ternovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vuoriyarvi massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary manganese deposits country, the host setting where ternovite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrolusite, goethite, manganite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a encrustations habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ternovite?+
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Find ternovite on the map
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