Kazakhstanite is a rare vanadium-bearing mineral typically found as soft, powdery crusts or efflorescences on vanadium-rich shale surfaces. It is primarily identified through its association with other vanadium oxidation products in arid environments. Collectors seek out this mineral for its unusual chemistry and its rarity within specific central Asian sedimentary deposits.
Is this kazakhstanite?
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 kazakhstanite with a known reference. Kazakhstanite sits at Mohs 1-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kazakhstanite leaves a yellowish brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kazakhstanite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: powdery coatings, efflorescences.
Often confused with
Kazakhstanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kazakhstanite leaves yellowish brown, Vanoxite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kazakhstanite leaves yellowish brown, Sherwoodite leaves light blue; luster reads dull on Kazakhstanite and vitreous on Sherwoodite.
Often found alongside kazakhstanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kazakhstanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe³⁺V⁴⁺₄O₉·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 2.82 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish Brown
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Powdery Coatings, Efflorescences
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Vanadium-rich Sedimentary Shales
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find kazakhstanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kurumsak vanadium deposit, Kazakhstan
- Balasauskandyk vanadium deposit, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in vanadium-rich sedimentary shales country — that is the host setting where kazakhstanite typically forms. If you start seeing vanoxite, gypsum, paramontroseite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a powdery coatings, efflorescences habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kazakhstanite?+
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Find kazakhstanite on the map
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