Karelianite is a rare vanadium-dominant oxide mineral found typically in metamorphosed, vanadium-enriched mineral deposits. It occurs as microscopic black grains with a metallic luster and is primarily of interest to systematic mineral collectors due to its rarity and specific chemical composition.
Is this karelianite?
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 karelianite with a known reference. Karelianite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Karelianite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Karelianite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Karelianite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Karelianite leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic on Karelianite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Karelianite and submetallic on Manaccanite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Karelianite leaves black, Chromite leaves dark brown; luster reads metallic on Karelianite and submetallic on Chromite.
Often found alongside karelianite
Minerals reported to co-occur with karelianite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- V₂O₃
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 5.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to Subhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks, Specifically Vanadium-rich Quartzites and Ores
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and provenance
Where rockhounds find karelianite
Classic worldwide localities
- Outokumpu, North Karelia, Finland
- Srednyaya Padma, Karelia, Russia
- Hemlo mine, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks, specifically vanadium-rich quartzites and ores country — that is the host setting where karelianite typically forms. If you start seeing uvarovite, chromite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to subhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find karelianite on the map
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