Lenoblite is a rare hydrated vanadium oxide often found as thin, soft crusts or powdery coatings in oxidized uranium-vanadium deposits. It is best identified by its distinct blue color, though it is typically too fragile and small for anything other than micromount collecting.
Is this lenoblite?
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 lenoblite with a known reference. Lenoblite sits at Mohs 1-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: azure, greenish blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: crusts, powder, aggregates.
Often confused with
Lenoblite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lenoblite leaves light blue, Navajoite leaves brown; luster reads dull on Lenoblite and adamantine to silky on Navajoite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lenoblite leaves light blue, Corvusite leaves purplish blue-black; luster reads dull on Lenoblite and “lusterous” on Corvusite.
Often found alongside lenoblite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lenoblite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- V₂O₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 3.14 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light blue
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, powder, aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a zone of reduction below the oxidized zone of a uranium deposit (Mounana mine, Gabon)
Where rockhounds find lenoblite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mounana uranium mine, Franceville, Gabon
- Kokpatas, in the Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a zone of reduction below the oxidized zone of a uranium deposit (Mounana mine, Gabon). If you start seeing duttonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crusts, powder, aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lenoblite?+
Where is lenoblite found?+
Is lenoblite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like lenoblite?+
What minerals are found with lenoblite?+
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What is lenoblite used for?+
Find lenoblite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
