Vanadomalayaite is an extremely rare vanadium-bearing member of the titanite group. It typically appears as yellowish-brown grains within metamorphic assemblages and requires professional mineralogical testing for positive identification.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Adamantine

Streak

Red

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareTitanite Group family

Vanadomalayaite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: Red
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this vanadomalayaite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch vanadomalayaite with a known reference. Vanadomalayaite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: red.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: deep red.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular.

Often confused with

Vanadomalayaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Titanite

Mohs 5-5.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vanadomalayaite leaves red, Titanite leaves white.

Compare →

Often found alongside vanadomalayaite

Minerals reported to co-occur with vanadomalayaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CaVOSiO₄
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 3.6 g/cm³
Colors: Deep red
Streak: Red
Luster: Adamantine
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Granular
Cleavage: Good on {110}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Associated with calcite, quartz and haradaite in a small vein cutting ophiolitic metacherts

Where rockhounds find vanadomalayaite

Classic worldwide localities

Gambatesa mine, near Reppia, Val Graveglia, northern Apennines, Italy (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Associated with calcite, quartz and haradaite in a small vein cutting ophiolitic metacherts. If you start seeing rhodonite, spessartine, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vanadomalayaite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. Luster: adamantine. The streak is red. Common colors include deep red.

Where is vanadomalayaite found?+

Notable localities include Gambatesa mine, near Reppia, Val Graveglia, northern Apennines, Italy (type locality).

Is vanadomalayaite safe to handle?+

Vanadomalayaite contains vanadium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like vanadomalayaite?+

Vanadomalayaite is most often confused with Titanite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with vanadomalayaite?+

Vanadomalayaite commonly co-occurs with Rhodonite, Spessartine, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does vanadomalayaite form in?+

Where it forms: Associated with calcite, quartz and haradaite in a small vein cutting ophiolitic metacherts. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vanadomalayaite used for?+

Vanadomalayaite is used in collector.

Find vanadomalayaite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.