Bobjonesite is a rare vanadyl sulfate mineral known primarily from the Temple Mountain area in Utah. It typically forms as small, pale yellow prismatic crystals in association with gypsum and other secondary minerals in sedimentary environments.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale blue (synthetic)

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Bobjonesite

Hardness: ~1
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale blue (synthetic)
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this bobjonesite?

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 bobjonesite with a known reference. Bobjonesite sits at Mohs ~1, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale blue (synthetic).
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pale blue, bright blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: encrustations, water soluble.

Often found alongside bobjonesite

Minerals reported to co-occur with bobjonesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: VOSO₄·3H₂O
Mohs hardness: ~1
Density: 2.28 g/cm³
Colors: Pale blue Bright blue
Streak: Pale blue (synthetic)
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Encrustations, water soluble
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: On fractures surfaces in a silicified log with coalified margins within mineralized conglomerate

Where rockhounds find bobjonesite

Classic worldwide localities

North Mesa 5 mine, Temple Mountain mining district, Emery County, Utah, USA (type locality)
First cinder cone of the North Breach of the Great Fissure Tolbachik volcano eruption, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: On fractures surfaces in a silicified log with coalified margins within mineralized conglomerate. If you start seeing ferricopiapite, kornelite, rozenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations, water soluble. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify bobjonesite?+

Mohs hardness is ~1. Luster: vitreous. The streak is pale blue (synthetic). Common colors include pale blue, bright blue.

Where is bobjonesite found?+

Notable localities include North Mesa 5 mine, Temple Mountain mining district, Emery County, Utah, USA (type locality); First cinder cone of the North Breach of the Great Fissure Tolbachik volcano eruption, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.

Is bobjonesite safe to handle?+

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

What minerals are found with bobjonesite?+

Bobjonesite commonly co-occurs with Ferricopiapite, Kornelite, Rozenite, Szomolnokite, Native sulfur, Minasragrite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bobjonesite form in?+

Where it forms: On fractures surfaces in a silicified log with coalified margins within mineralized conglomerate. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bobjonesite used for?+

Bobjonesite is used in collector.

Find bobjonesite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.