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 2.5-4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly on cleavage.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, olive green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crystalline.
Often confused with
Chernykhite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chernykhite leaves light green, Roscoelite leaves greenish white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chernykhite leaves light green, Muscovite leaves white; luster reads pearly on cleavage on Chernykhite and vitreous to pearly or silky on Muscovite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chernykhite leaves light green, Chromphyllite leaves whitish green; luster reads pearly on cleavage on Chernykhite and vitreous on Chromphyllite.
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
- BaV₂(Si₂Al₂)O₁₀(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-4.5
- Density
- 3.14-3.16 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light green
- Luster
- Pearly on cleavage
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crystalline
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In small veinlets cutting carbonate rocks interbedded with vanadium-rich lower Paleozoic shales
Where rockhounds find chernykhite
Classic worldwide localities
- Balasauskandyk and Kurumsak vanadium deposits, northwestern Kara-Tau Mountains, southern Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In small veinlets cutting carbonate rocks interbedded with vanadium-rich lower Paleozoic shales. If you start seeing vanadium minerals, quartz, barite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crystalline. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chernykhite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
