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 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Munirite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Munirite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, yellow, pale yellow.
- 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: Munirite is noticeably harder (Mohs 2 vs. approx 1); streak differs — Munirite leaves white, Hewettite leaves brownish red.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Munirite leaves white, Pascoite leaves yellow; luster reads pearly on Munirite and vitreous 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
- NaVO₃·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Acicular, Efflorescent Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find munirite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pakistan
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary rocks country — that is the host setting where munirite typically forms. If you start seeing hewettite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, acicular, efflorescent crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find munirite on the map
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