Metahewettite is a rare hydrated calcium vanadate that typically forms as bright deep red earthy crusts or fibrous aggregates in vanadium-rich sandstone. It is most commonly found as an alteration product of hewettite in oxidized uranium-vanadium ore bodies. Collectors should handle specimens with care due to their friable nature and the potential toxicity of vanadium compounds.
Is this metahewettite?
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 metahewettite with a known reference. Metahewettite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Metahewettite leaves a deep red streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Metahewettite typically shows a subadamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red, deep red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, earthy, massive, or as capillary coatings.
Often confused with
Metahewettite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metahewettite leaves deep red, Hewettite leaves brownish red; luster reads subadamantine on Metahewettite and pearly on Hewettite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metahewettite leaves deep red, Carnotite leaves yellow; luster reads subadamantine on Metahewettite and dull on Carnotite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metahewettite leaves deep red, Vanoxite leaves black; luster reads subadamantine on Metahewettite and dull on Vanoxite.
Often found alongside metahewettite
Minerals reported to co-occur with metahewettite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaV₆O₁₆·9H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Streak
- Deep Red
- Luster
- Subadamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Earthy, Massive, Or as Capillary Coatings
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sandstone Hosted Uranium-vanadium Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen
Where rockhounds find metahewettite
Classic worldwide localities
- Paradox Valley, Colorado, USA
- Temple Mountain, Utah, USA
- Minas Ragra, Peru
Field-hunting tip
Look in sandstone hosted uranium-vanadium deposits country — that is the host setting where metahewettite typically forms. If you start seeing carnotite, tyuyamunite, corvusite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, earthy, massive, or as capillary coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find metahewettite on the map
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