Munirite is a rare hydrous sodium vanadate that typically forms as delicate, fibrous white or pale yellow crusts. It is most commonly found in efflorescent deposits in arid environments, often associated with other vanadium minerals in sandstone-hosted uranium-vanadium deposits.
Is this munirite?
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 munirite with a known reference. Munirite 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: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pearl white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, acicular, efflorescent crusts.
Often confused with
Munirite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Munirite leaves white, Hewettite leaves brownish red; luster reads pearly on Munirite and silky to adamantine on Hewettite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Munirite leaves white, Pascoite leaves cadmium-yellow; luster reads pearly on Munirite and vitreous to subadamantine on Pascoite.
Often found alongside munirite
Minerals reported to co-occur with munirite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaVO₃(H₂O)₁.₉
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 2.43 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, acicular, efflorescent crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- On sandstone, presumably formed from oxidation of vanadium-bearing primary uranium minerals
Where rockhounds find munirite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bhimber area, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: On sandstone, presumably formed from oxidation of vanadium-bearing primary uranium minerals. If you start seeing hewettite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous, acicular, efflorescent crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify munirite?+
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Find munirite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
