Kyzylkumite is a rare vanadium titanium oxide mineral typically found in sedimentary deposits within the Kyzylkum Desert. It usually occurs as microscopic grains or small aggregates and requires mineralogical testing for positive identification due to its similarity to other dark oxide minerals.
Is this kyzylkumite?
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 kyzylkumite with a known reference. Kyzylkumite sits at Mohs 6-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brownish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular, prismatic.
Often confused with
Kyzylkumite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kyzylkumite leaves brownish black, Rutile leaves pale brown, yellowish brown; gray, greenish black with high nb–ta; luster reads vitreous to resinous on Kyzylkumite and adamantine to submetallic on Rutile.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kyzylkumite leaves brownish black, Ilmenite leaves black to reddish brown; luster reads vitreous to resinous on Kyzylkumite and metallic to submetallic on Ilmenite.
Often found alongside kyzylkumite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kyzylkumite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ti₂VO₅(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 6-6.5
- Density
- 3.75 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish black
- Luster
- Vitreous to resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, prismatic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In veins cutting siliceous schists
Where rockhounds find kyzylkumite
Classic worldwide localities
- Koscheka uranium deposit, Auminzatau Mountains, central Kyzylkum region, Uzbekistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In veins cutting siliceous schists. If you start seeing chlorite, pyrite, rutile in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kyzylkumite?+
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Is kyzylkumite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like kyzylkumite?+
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Find kyzylkumite on the map
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