Finchite is a rare strontium uranium vanadate, typically yellow. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2017. It was first described from the eastern edge of Sulfur Springs Draw, Martin Co., Texas, USA.
Is this finchite?
4-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.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow.
- 4Look 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. ~1); luster reads pearly on Finchite and silky to adamantine on Hewettite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Finchite and dull to somewhat silky 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
- Sr(UO₂)₂(V₂O₈)·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.45 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- sandstone hosted uranium-vanadium deposits
Where rockhounds find finchite
Classic worldwide localities
- Grand County, Utah, USA
- Montrose County, Colorado, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: sandstone hosted uranium-vanadium deposits. If you start seeing pandoraite-ca in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify finchite?+
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Find finchite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
