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 8-9, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: granular, prismatic.
Often confused with
Karelianite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Karelianite is noticeably harder (Mohs 8-9 vs. 5-6); streak differs, so Karelianite leaves black, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown.
How to tell apart: Karelianite is noticeably harder (Mohs 8-9 vs. 5-6).
How to tell apart: Karelianite is noticeably harder (Mohs 8-9 vs. 5.5); streak differs, so Karelianite leaves black, Chromite leaves brown.
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
- 8-9
- Density
- 4.87 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular, prismatic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In sulfide-rich portions of glacial boulders derived from high-grade metamorphic rocks, as schists and quartzites (Outokumpu mine, Finland); in primary unoxidized U–V ores (Mounana mine, Gabon)
Where rockhounds find karelianite
Classic worldwide localities
- Outokumpu mine, northern Karelia, Finland
- Roter Bär mine, St. Andreasberg, Harz Mountains, Germany
- Lake Baikal, Siberia, in the Slyudyanka complex, Sayan Mountains, and 4.5 km south of Olkhon Gate Strait, Russia
- Shanglin and Hechi bitumens, Guangxi, Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
- Mounana uranium mine, Franceville, Gabon
- Urcal deposit, La Rioja Province, Argentina
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In sulfide-rich portions of glacial boulders derived from high-grade metamorphic rocks, as schists and quartzites (Outokumpu mine, Finland); in primary unoxidized U–V ores (Mounana mine, Gabon). If you start seeing pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify karelianite?+
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Is karelianite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like karelianite?+
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Find karelianite on the map
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