Engelhauptite is a very rare potassium vanadate mineral that occurs as tiny, thin hexagonal plates. It is primarily found in the secondary oxidation zones of vanadium-bearing sandstone deposits, often requiring microscopic study for positive identification.
Is this engelhauptite?
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 engelhauptite with a known reference. Engelhauptite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Engelhauptite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Engelhauptite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Engelhauptite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Engelhauptite leaves yellow, Vanadinite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Engelhauptite and resinous on Vanadinite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Engelhauptite leaves yellow, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red; luster reads vitreous on Engelhauptite and greasy to adamantine on Descloizite.
Often found alongside engelhauptite
Minerals reported to co-occur with engelhauptite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K(V,V,As)₂O₇
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.32 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sandstone
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find engelhauptite
Classic worldwide localities
- Repete mine, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sandstone country, the host setting where engelhauptite typically forms. If you start seeing gypsum, quartz, uranium minerals 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
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Find engelhauptite on the map
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