Melkovite is a rare hydrous calcium iron molybdate phosphate mineral typically found in the oxidation zones of hydrothermal molybdenum deposits. It occurs as small, delicate yellow to yellowish-green crystals, often forming radial or fibrous aggregates on matrix.
Is this melkovite?
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 melkovite with a known reference. Melkovite 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. Melkovite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Melkovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Melkovite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Melkovite and silky on Molybdite.
How to tell apart: Powellite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Melkovite leaves yellow, Powellite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Melkovite and adamantine on Powellite.
Often found alongside melkovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with melkovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄Fe³⁺₂(MoO₄)₄(PO₄)₂·11H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Molybdenum-bearing Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find melkovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kadzhisar deposit, Uzbekistan
- Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of molybdenum-bearing deposits country — that is the host setting where melkovite typically forms. If you start seeing molybdenite, jarosite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find melkovite on the map
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