Bariandite is an extremely rare vanadium oxide mineral often found as dark, botryoidal crusts or radial sprays. It is most commonly identified in vanadium deposits where it forms as a secondary mineral during the oxidation of vanadium-bearing ores.
Is this bariandite?
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 bariandite with a known reference. Bariandite 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. Bariandite leaves a brownish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bariandite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: botryoidal, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Bariandite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Bariandite leaves brownish black, Corvusite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Bariandite is noticeably harder (Mohs 2-3 vs. approx 1); streak differs — Bariandite leaves brownish black, Hewettite leaves brownish red; luster reads dull on Bariandite and pearly on Hewettite.
Often found alongside bariandite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bariandite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- V⁵⁺₈V⁴⁺₂O₂₄·22H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish Black
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, Crusts, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Vanadium-rich Sedimentary Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find bariandite
Classic worldwide localities
- M'Braka, Gabon
- Tashgagalt, Morocco
Field-hunting tip
Look in vanadium-rich sedimentary deposits country — that is the host setting where bariandite typically forms. If you start seeing vanadinite, rossite, pascoite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal, crusts, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bariandite on the map
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