Berdesinskiite is a very rare vanadium titanium oxide mineral found in hydrothermal deposits. It typically presents as small, opaque, black tabular crystals with a strong metallic luster.
Is this berdesinskiite?
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 berdesinskiite with a known reference. Berdesinskiite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Berdesinskiite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Berdesinskiite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Berdesinskiite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Berdesinskiite leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic on Berdesinskiite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Berdesinskiite and submetallic on Manaccanite.
Often found alongside berdesinskiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with berdesinskiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- V₂TiO₅
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 4.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Vein Deposits
- Typical price
- varies by size/locality; generally high for rare species
Where rockhounds find berdesinskiite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sarabau mine, Bau, Malaysia
- Guanajuato, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal vein deposits country — that is the host setting where berdesinskiite typically forms. If you start seeing montroseite, paramontroseite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify berdesinskiite?+
Where is berdesinskiite found?+
How much is berdesinskiite worth?+
What rocks look like berdesinskiite?+
What minerals are found with berdesinskiite?+
What kind of rock does berdesinskiite form in?+
What is berdesinskiite used for?+
Find berdesinskiite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
