Alvanite is a rare hydrous vanadium mineral that typically forms as delicate, radiating fibrous aggregates or velvety crusts. It is most often discovered in the oxidized zones of vanadium-rich deposits where it occurs alongside other secondary vanadium minerals.
Is this alvanite?
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 alvanite with a known reference. Alvanite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Alvanite leaves a pale yellow-green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Alvanite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, yellowish-green, olive green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, radiating aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Alvanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Alvanite leaves pale yellow-green, Tyuyamunite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Alvanite is noticeably harder (Mohs 2-3 vs. approx 1); streak differs — Alvanite leaves pale yellow-green, Hewettite leaves brownish red.
Often found alongside alvanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with alvanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Zn,Ni,Cu)Al₄(V₅O₁₂)₂·12H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Yellow-green
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Radiating Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Vanadium-bearing Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find alvanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Alai Mountains, Kyrgyzstan
- Kazakhstan
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of vanadium-bearing deposits country — that is the host setting where alvanite typically forms. If you start seeing vanadinite, calcite, tyuyamunite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, radiating aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find alvanite on the map
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