Anorthominasragrite is a very rare hydrated vanadium sulfate mineral known primarily from the type locality in the Minasragra district of Peru. It forms as a secondary mineral in vanadium deposits, typically appearing as delicate, pale blue tabular crystals associated with other secondary vanadates.
Is this anorthominasragrite?
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 anorthominasragrite with a known reference. Anorthominasragrite sits at Mohs ~1, 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.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, encrustations, spherical.
Often confused with
Anorthominasragrite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Anorthominasragrite leaves white, Minasragrite leaves light blue.
How to tell apart: Boussingaultite is the harder of the two (Mohs 2 vs. ~1); luster reads vitreous on Anorthominasragrite and silky on Boussingaultite.
Often found alongside anorthominasragrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with anorthominasragrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- VO(SO₄)·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~1
- Density
- 2.12 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, encrustations, spherical
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In sandstone in a silicified fossil tree with a rim of coal around the tree
Where rockhounds find anorthominasragrite
Classic worldwide localities
- North Mesa mine group, Temple Mountain mining district, Emery County, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In sandstone in a silicified fossil tree with a rim of coal around the tree. If you start seeing orthominasragrite, bobjonesite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, encrustations, spherical. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find anorthominasragrite on the map
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