Kombatite is a rare lead vanadate-chloride mineral primarily found in the Kombat Mine of Namibia. It typically forms attractive, bright yellow to orange-yellow platy or tabular crystals that are highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this kombatite?
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 kombatite with a known reference. Kombatite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kombatite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kombatite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular, clusters.
Often confused with
Kombatite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Vanadinite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs, so Kombatite leaves yellow, Vanadinite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Kombatite and resinous on Vanadinite.
How to tell apart: Descloizite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Kombatite leaves yellow, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red; luster reads adamantine on Kombatite and greasy to adamantine on Descloizite.
Often found alongside kombatite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kombatite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₁₄(VO₄)₂O₉Cl₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 6.8-7.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Tabular, Clusters
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Base Metal Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find kombatite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kombat Mine, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal base metal deposits country, the host setting where kombatite typically forms. If you start seeing vanadinite, descloizite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular, clusters habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kombatite on the map
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