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, so 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, so 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, 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
How do you identify metavivianite?+
Where is metavivianite found?+
How much is metavivianite worth?+
What rocks look like metavivianite?+
What minerals are found with metavivianite?+
What kind of rock does metavivianite form in?+
What is metavivianite used for?+
Find metavivianite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
