Metamunirite is a rare anhydrous sodium vanadate that typically forms as delicate, acicular, or fibrous yellow sprays within oxidized sandstone. It is most commonly found in the uranium-vanadium mines of the Colorado Plateau, often occurring as an alteration product of other vanadium minerals. Due to its fragility and rarity, it is a specialized specimen for advanced mineral collectors.
Is this metamunirite?
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 metamunirite with a known reference. Metamunirite 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. Metamunirite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Metamunirite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous, sprays.
Often confused with
Metamunirite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metamunirite leaves yellow, Munirite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Metamunirite and pearly on Munirite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metamunirite leaves yellow, Vanoxite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Metamunirite and dull on Vanoxite.
Often found alongside metamunirite
Minerals reported to co-occur with metamunirite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaVO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Fibrous, Sprays
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Vanadium-uranium Sandstone Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find metamunirite
Classic worldwide localities
- Colorado Plateau, USA
- Utah, USA
- Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in vanadium-uranium sandstone deposits country — that is the host setting where metamunirite typically forms. If you start seeing munirite, corvusite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, fibrous, sprays habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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How much is metamunirite worth?+
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Find metamunirite on the map
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