Melanovanadite is a rare, dark-colored vanadium mineral typically found as elongated prismatic crystals or fibrous radial clusters. It is most famous from the Ragra vanadium mine in Peru and is primarily sought after by advanced mineral collectors for its unique composition.
Is this melanovanadite?
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 melanovanadite with a known reference. Melanovanadite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Melanovanadite leaves a dark brownish-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Melanovanadite typically shows a resinous to submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, fibrous masses.
Often confused with
Melanovanadite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Melanovanadite leaves dark brownish-black, Vanadinite leaves white; luster reads resinous to submetallic on Melanovanadite and resinous on Vanadinite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Melanovanadite leaves dark brownish-black, Corvusite leaves black; luster reads resinous to submetallic on Melanovanadite and dull on Corvusite.
How to tell apart: Melanovanadite is noticeably harder (Mohs 2.5 vs. approx 1); streak differs — Melanovanadite leaves dark brownish-black, Hewettite leaves brownish red; luster reads resinous to submetallic on Melanovanadite and pearly on Hewettite.
Often found alongside melanovanadite
Minerals reported to co-occur with melanovanadite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaV⁴⁺₄V⁵⁺₂O₁₆·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark Brownish-black
- Luster
- Resinous to Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Fibrous Masses
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Sedimentary Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find melanovanadite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ragra mine (Peru)
- Colorado (USA)
- Utah (USA)
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in sedimentary rocks country — that is the host setting where melanovanadite typically forms. If you start seeing hewettite, pascoite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, fibrous masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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How much is melanovanadite worth?+
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Find melanovanadite on the map
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