Howardevansite is a rare volcanic mineral discovered in the active fumaroles of the Izalco Volcano. It typically presents as microscopic black metallic grains within secondary salt deposits. Collectors primarily seek it as an extreme rarity due to its restricted geographical occurrence.
Is this howardevansite?
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 howardevansite with a known reference. Howardevansite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Howardevansite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Howardevansite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains and granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Howardevansite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Howardevansite and submetallic on Manaccanite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Howardevansite leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic on Howardevansite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside howardevansite
Minerals reported to co-occur with howardevansite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCuFe₂V₂O₁₀
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains and Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Volcanic Fumarole Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size
Where rockhounds find howardevansite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fumaroles of the Izalco Volcano, El Salvador
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic fumarole deposits country — that is the host setting where howardevansite typically forms. If you start seeing thenardite, halite, sylvite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains and granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find howardevansite on the map
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