Kurumsakite is a rare vanadium-bearing mineral typically found as earthy or powdery coatings in sedimentary vanadium deposits. It is known primarily from its type locality in the Karatau Range of Kazakhstan and is highly prized by systematic mineral collectors due to its restricted occurrence.
Is this kurumsakite?
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 kurumsakite with a known reference. Kurumsakite 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. Kurumsakite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kurumsakite typically shows a earthy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, powdery, or as coatings.
Often confused with
Kurumsakite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Volborthite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Kurumsakite leaves yellow, Volborthite leaves yellowish-green; luster reads earthy on Kurumsakite and vitreous on Volborthite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads earthy on Kurumsakite and pearly on Tyuyamunite.
Often found alongside kurumsakite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kurumsakite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Zn,Cu,Ni)₃(V,Al)₂(OH)₆(VO₄)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.5-3.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Powdery, Or as Coatings
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Vanadium-bearing Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and rarity
Where rockhounds find kurumsakite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kurumsak vanadium deposit, Karatau Range, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary vanadium-bearing deposits country — that is the host setting where kurumsakite typically forms. If you start seeing vanadinite, tyuyamunite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, powdery, or as coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kurumsakite on the map
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