Metarossite is a rare vanadium mineral that forms as an alteration product of rossite in oxidized vanadium-uranium deposits. It is most commonly found as bright yellow, powdery or crust-like efflorescences on the surface of sandstone specimens. Collectors typically identify it by its specific association with other vanadium minerals in the Colorado Plateau region.
Is this metarossite?
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 metarossite with a known reference. Metarossite 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: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull to pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: massive, pulverulent, or efflorescent crusts.
Often confused with
Metarossite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull to pearly on Metarossite and vitreous to somewhat pearly on Rossite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Metarossite leaves yellow, Hewettite leaves brownish red; luster reads dull to pearly on Metarossite and silky to adamantine on Hewettite.
Often found alongside metarossite
Minerals reported to co-occur with metarossite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca(V₂O₆)·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 2.45 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Dull to pearly
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, pulverulent, or efflorescent crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In veinlets in carnotite-bearing sandstone (Bull Pen Canyon, Colorado, USA)
Where rockhounds find metarossite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bull Pen Canyon, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In veinlets in carnotite-bearing sandstone (Bull Pen Canyon, Colorado, USA). If you start seeing rossite, carnotite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, pulverulent, or efflorescent crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify metarossite?+
Where is metarossite found?+
Is metarossite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like metarossite?+
What minerals are found with metarossite?+
What kind of rock does metarossite form in?+
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Find metarossite on the map
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