Metavivianite is a rare oxidation product of vivianite, often forming as a result of partial alteration. Collectors should look for its distinctive darker green to brownish hue compared to the typically vibrant, lighter-colored vivianite, as well as its unique triclinic crystal structure.
Is this metavivianite?
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 metavivianite with a known reference. Metavivianite 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. Metavivianite leaves a greenish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Metavivianite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, blue-green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Metavivianite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metavivianite leaves greenish-white, Vivianite leaves white to light blue.
How to tell apart: Strengite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Metavivianite leaves greenish-white, Strengite leaves white.
Often found alongside metavivianite
Minerals reported to co-occur with metavivianite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 2.84 g/cm³
- Streak
- Greenish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Pegmatites, Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-200 depending on specimen quality and size
Where rockhounds find metavivianite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Chief Mine, South Dakota, USA
- Anloua, Cameroon
- Llallagua, Bolivia
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich pegmatites, hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where metavivianite typically forms. If you start seeing vivianite, siderite, ludlamite 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 metavivianite on the map
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