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.

Hardness

6-6.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Berdesinskiite

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.

Hardness: 6-6.5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this berdesinskiite?

5-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 berdesinskiite with a known reference. Berdesinskiite sits at Mohs 6-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black, reddish brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Hematite

Mohs 5-6

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Berdesinskiite leaves black, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown.

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: 6-6.5
Density: 4.536 g/cm³
Colors: Black Reddish brown
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Microscopic crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In strongly weathered gneiss with quartzite in a gem kornerupine deposit of Precambrian age

Where rockhounds find berdesinskiite

Classic worldwide localities

Lasamba Hill, Kwale district, Voi, Kenya (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In strongly weathered gneiss with quartzite in a gem kornerupine deposit of Precambrian age. If you start seeing schreyerite, rutile, kornerupine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify berdesinskiite?+

Mohs hardness is 6-6.5. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include black, reddish brown.

Where is berdesinskiite found?+

Notable localities include Lasamba Hill, Kwale district, Voi, Kenya (type locality).

Is berdesinskiite safe to handle?+

Berdesinskiite contains vanadium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like berdesinskiite?+

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

What minerals are found with berdesinskiite?+

Berdesinskiite commonly co-occurs with Schreyerite, Rutile, Kornerupine, Diopside, Epidote, Graphite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does berdesinskiite form in?+

Where it forms: In strongly weathered gneiss with quartzite in a gem kornerupine deposit of Precambrian age. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is berdesinskiite used for?+

Berdesinskiite is used in collector.

Find berdesinskiite on the map

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