Erikjonssonite is a rare lead vanadium molybdenum oxide that forms orange-red tabular grains. It occurs in late-stage, zoned veins crosscutting primary hausmannite ores. Associated minerals include hausmannite, calcite and glaucochroite. It was first described from Kombat mine, Grootfontein district, Otjozondjupa region, Namibia.
Is this erikjonssonite?
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 erikjonssonite with a known reference. Erikjonssonite 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. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular grains.
Often confused with
Erikjonssonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Erikjonssonite leaves yellow, Linarite leaves pale blue; luster reads resinous on Erikjonssonite and vitreous to subadamantine on Linarite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Erikjonssonite leaves yellow, Chlorothionite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Erikjonssonite and vitreous on Chlorothionite.
Often found alongside erikjonssonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with erikjonssonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Pb₃₂O₂₁)[(V,Si,Mo,As)O₄]₄Cl₉
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 7.967 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular grains
- Cleavage
- Distinct on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- metamorphosed iron-manganese ore deposits
Where rockhounds find erikjonssonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kombat mine, Otjozondjupa region, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: metamorphosed iron-manganese ore deposits. If you start seeing långbanite, magnetite, hausmannite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify erikjonssonite?+
Where is erikjonssonite found?+
Is erikjonssonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like erikjonssonite?+
What minerals are found with erikjonssonite?+
What kind of rock does erikjonssonite form in?+
What is erikjonssonite used for?+
Find erikjonssonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
