Chernykhite is an extremely rare vanadium-rich mica belonging to the mica group, characterized by its distinct dark green to black coloration. It typically occurs as small, scaly aggregates or thin platy crystals found in vanadium-bearing sedimentary sequences. Collectors prize it primarily as a specialty mineral for systematic collections due to its limited global occurrences.
Is this chernykhite?
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 chernykhite with a known reference. Chernykhite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chernykhite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chernykhite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: scaly aggregates, platy crystals.
Often confused with
Chernykhite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chernykhite leaves light green, Muscovite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chernykhite leaves light green, Chromphyllite leaves white.
Often found alongside chernykhite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chernykhite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ba,Na)(V³⁺,Al,Mg)₂(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 3.16 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Scaly Aggregates, Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Vanadium-bearing Sedimentary Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find chernykhite
Classic worldwide localities
- Karatau, Kazakhstan
- Nevada, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in vanadium-bearing sedimentary rocks country — that is the host setting where chernykhite typically forms. If you start seeing vanadium minerals, quartz, barite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a scaly aggregates, platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chernykhite?+
Where is chernykhite found?+
How much is chernykhite worth?+
What rocks look like chernykhite?+
What minerals are found with chernykhite?+
What kind of rock does chernykhite form in?+
What is chernykhite used for?+
Find chernykhite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
