Vránaite is a rare aluminum silicate. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2016, from material found in Madagascar.
Is this vránaite?
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 vránaite with a known reference. Vránaite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Vránaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Vránaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, orange, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Vránaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside vránaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vránaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₁₆B₄Si₄O₃₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find vránaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vrána quarry, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where vránaite typically forms. If you start seeing graftonite, beusite, triphylite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vránaite?+
Where is vránaite found?+
What rocks look like vránaite?+
What minerals are found with vránaite?+
What kind of rock does vránaite form in?+
What is vránaite used for?+
Find vránaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
