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 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light yellow.
- 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: Streak differs, so Kombatite leaves pale yellow, Vanadinite leaves white to pale red or pale yellow; luster reads adamantine on Kombatite and subresinous to subadamantine on Vanadinite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kombatite leaves pale yellow, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish red; luster reads adamantine on Kombatite and greasy 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
- 2-3
- Density
- 7.979 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, tabular, clusters
- Cleavage
- On {010}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare component of layered manganese ores
Where rockhounds find kombatite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kombat Cu–Pb–Ag mine, 49 km south of Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare component of layered manganese ores. If you start seeing hematite, calcite, hausmannite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular, clusters. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kombatite?+
Where is kombatite found?+
Is kombatite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like kombatite?+
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Find kombatite on the map
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