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, so 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, so 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, 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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