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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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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