Calciodelrioite is a rare secondary vanadium mineral that typically forms thin, yellowish, platy crystal crusts or coatings. It is most commonly found as an efflorescence in the oxidized zones of uranium-vanadium mines in the Colorado Plateau, often associated with other vanadium-rich minerals.
Is this calciodelrioite?
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 calciodelrioite with a known reference. Calciodelrioite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Calciodelrioite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Calciodelrioite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Calciodelrioite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Calciodelrioite and vitreous on Pascoite.
How to tell apart: Calciodelrioite is noticeably harder (Mohs 2 vs. approx 1); streak differs — Calciodelrioite leaves yellow, Hewettite leaves brownish red.
Often found alongside calciodelrioite
Minerals reported to co-occur with calciodelrioite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca(VO₃)₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.84 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Sandstone Uranium-vanadium Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find calciodelrioite
Classic worldwide localities
- Uravan Mineral Belt, Colorado, USA
- La Sal District, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary sandstone uranium-vanadium deposits country — that is the host setting where calciodelrioite typically forms. If you start seeing corvusite, gypsum, barite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify calciodelrioite?+
Where is calciodelrioite found?+
How much is calciodelrioite worth?+
Is calciodelrioite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like calciodelrioite?+
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Find calciodelrioite on the map
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