Bassoite is a rare vanadium mineral found primarily in specific manganese-iron deposits in the Brosso mine in Italy. It typically appears as small, thin tabular crystals or delicate crusts and is highly sought after by advanced collectors of rare species.
Is this bassoite?
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 bassoite with a known reference. Bassoite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bassoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bassoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.
Often confused with
Bassoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Bassoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Bassoite leaves white, Pascoite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Bassoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Bassoite leaves white, Sherwoodite leaves light blue.
Often found alongside bassoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bassoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SrV₄O₁₁·9H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.98 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Manganese-iron Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 depending on specimen quality
Where rockhounds find bassoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Brosso Mine, Piedmont, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal manganese-iron deposits country — that is the host setting where bassoite typically forms. If you start seeing hematite, quartz, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bassoite on the map
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