Wernerbaurite is a rare secondary vanadium mineral that forms in oxidized zones of uranium-vanadium bearing sandstones. It typically presents as small, fragile yellow-to-brown tabular crystals or crusts that are highly soluble and sensitive to atmospheric humidity.
Is this wernerbaurite?
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 wernerbaurite with a known reference. Wernerbaurite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wernerbaurite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wernerbaurite typically shows a subadamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, crusts.
Often confused with
Wernerbaurite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Wernerbaurite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2); luster reads subadamantine on Wernerbaurite and vitreous on Pascoite.
How to tell apart: Wernerbaurite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2); streak differs, so Wernerbaurite leaves yellow, Sherwoodite leaves light blue; luster reads subadamantine on Wernerbaurite and vitreous on Sherwoodite.
Often found alongside wernerbaurite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wernerbaurite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaFe²⁺V₄O₁₀·16H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.5-2.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Subadamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Good On {100} and {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Sandstone Deposits
Where rockhounds find wernerbaurite
Classic worldwide localities
- Colorado, USA
- Utah, USA
- Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary sandstone deposits country, the host setting where wernerbaurite typically forms. If you start seeing carnotite, gypsum, tyuyamunite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify wernerbaurite?+
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Find wernerbaurite on the map
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