Khamrabaevite is an extremely rare titanium-vanadium carbide mineral typically found as microscopic grains in complex geological environments. It is notable for its incredible hardness, ranking among the hardest known natural substances due to its carbide structure. Collectors usually obtain it as inclusion material or micro-mounts extracted from heavy mineral sands or igneous massifs.
Is this khamrabaevite?
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 khamrabaevite with a known reference. Khamrabaevite 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. Khamrabaevite leaves a gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Khamrabaevite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, silver-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Khamrabaevite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Khamrabaevite leaves gray, Osbornite leaves gold-yellow.
How to tell apart: Khamrabaevite is noticeably harder (Mohs 8-9 vs. 5.5-6); streak differs — Khamrabaevite leaves gray, Cohenite leaves grey-black.
Often found alongside khamrabaevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with khamrabaevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ti,V,Fe)C
- Mohs hardness
- 8-9
- Density
- 12.0-13.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to Subhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkalic Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and rarity
Where rockhounds find khamrabaevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Uzbekistan
- Russia
- China
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkalic igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where khamrabaevite typically forms. If you start seeing iron, ilmenite, graphite 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
How do you identify khamrabaevite?+
Where is khamrabaevite found?+
How much is khamrabaevite worth?+
What rocks look like khamrabaevite?+
What minerals are found with khamrabaevite?+
What kind of rock does khamrabaevite form in?+
What is khamrabaevite used for?+
Find khamrabaevite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
