Finchite is an exceptionally rare vanadium mineral often found as small, platy, orange-yellow crystals in secondary oxidation zones of uranium-vanadium deposits. Because it is highly fragile and typically exists in microscopic clusters, it is almost exclusively a specimen for specialized systematic mineral collectors.
Is this finchite?
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 finchite with a known reference. Finchite 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. Finchite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Finchite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, yellow-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Finchite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Finchite is noticeably harder (Mohs 2-3 vs. approx 1); streak differs — Finchite leaves yellow, Hewettite leaves brownish red.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Finchite leaves yellow, Metahewettite leaves deep red; luster reads pearly on Finchite and subadamantine on Metahewettite.
Often found alongside finchite
Minerals reported to co-occur with finchite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂V₈O₂₀·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.45 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sandstone Hosted Uranium-vanadium Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per thumbnail specimen
Where rockhounds find finchite
Classic worldwide localities
- Grand County, Utah, USA
- Montrose County, Colorado, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sandstone hosted uranium-vanadium deposits country — that is the host setting where finchite typically forms. If you start seeing hewettite, pascoite, carnotite 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 finchite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
