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 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, pearly on cleavages.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bluish green, blue black, black.
- 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: Alvanite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. ~2); streak differs, so Alvanite leaves white, Tyuyamunite leaves light yellow; luster reads vitreous, pearly on cleavages on Alvanite and adamantine, pearly on {001}, may be dull to waxy if massive on Tyuyamunite.
How to tell apart: Alvanite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. ~1); streak differs, so Alvanite leaves white, Hewettite leaves brownish red; luster reads vitreous, pearly on cleavages on Alvanite and silky to adamantine on Hewettite.
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
- ZnAl₄(VO₃)₂(OH)₁₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 2.49 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, pearly on cleavages
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, radiating aggregates, crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the oxidation zone of a vanadiferous clay-anthraxolite horizon
Where rockhounds find alvanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Several mines of the Kurumsak and Balasauskandyk districts, northwestern Kara-Tau Mountains, Kazakhstan (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the oxidation zone of a vanadiferous clay-anthraxolite horizon. If you start seeing mica, roscoelite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous, radiating aggregates, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find alvanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
