Ankinovichite is a rare hydrated nickel-zinc vanadate found primarily in specific vanadium-bearing sedimentary deposits. It typically forms thin, yellowish, pearly crusts or fragile platy crystal aggregates in association with other rare vanadium species.

Hardness

2.5-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareVolborthite Group family

Ankinovichite

Hardness: 2.5-3
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent

Is this ankinovichite?

4-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 ankinovichite with a known reference. Ankinovichite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, light green, light blue.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Ankinovichite is noticeably harder (Mohs 2.5-3 vs. ~1); luster reads vitreous on Ankinovichite and silky to adamantine on Hewettite.

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Often found alongside ankinovichite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NiAl₄(VO₃)₂(OH)₁₂·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
Density: 2.48 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Light green Light blue
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular
Cleavage: Perfect (010)
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A low-temperature hydrothermal or weathering-derived mineral

Where rockhounds find ankinovichite

Classic worldwide localities

Kurumsak, Chemkent Oblast, Kara-Tau Range, southern Kazakhstan, and Mount Kara-Chagyr, Isfayramsay River, Osh Oblast, Krygyzstan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A low-temperature hydrothermal or weathering-derived mineral. If you start seeing alvanite, volborthite, carnotite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify ankinovichite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3. Luster: vitreous. Common colors include colorless, white, light green, light blue.

Where is ankinovichite found?+

Notable localities include Kurumsak, Chemkent Oblast, Kara-Tau Range, southern Kazakhstan, and Mount Kara-Chagyr, Isfayramsay River, Osh Oblast, Krygyzstan.

Is ankinovichite safe to handle?+

Ankinovichite contains nickel and vanadium. Contains vanadium and nickel; avoid inhaling dust and wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens.

What rocks look like ankinovichite?+

Ankinovichite is most often confused with Volborthite, Hewettite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with ankinovichite?+

Ankinovichite commonly co-occurs with Alvanite, Volborthite, Carnotite, Goethite, Allophone, Kolovratite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does ankinovichite form in?+

Where it forms: A low-temperature hydrothermal or weathering-derived mineral. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is ankinovichite used for?+

Ankinovichite is used in collector.

Find ankinovichite on the map

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