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, so 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, 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
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Find berdesinskiite on the map
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