Hendersonite is a rare calcium-vanadium hydrated oxide found primarily in the Colorado Plateau's sandstone-hosted ore deposits. It typically occurs as dark brown to black earthy crusts or coatings on fractures, making it challenging to identify without analytical testing. Collectors generally find it as a secondary mineral associated with other vanadium-rich species.
Is this hendersonite?
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 hendersonite with a known reference. Hendersonite 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. Hendersonite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hendersonite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, powdery, or as thin crusts on fractures.
Often confused with
Hendersonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hendersonite leaves brown, Corvusite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Montroseite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Hendersonite leaves brown, Montroseite leaves black; luster reads dull on Hendersonite and metallic on Montroseite.
Often found alongside hendersonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hendersonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaV₆O₁₆·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Powdery, Or as Thin Crusts On Fractures
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sandstone Hosted Uranium-vanadium Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find hendersonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Colorado, USA
- Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sandstone hosted uranium-vanadium deposits country — that is the host setting where hendersonite typically forms. If you start seeing carnotite, tyuyamunite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, powdery, or as thin crusts on fractures habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hendersonite on the map
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