Native vanadium is an extremely rare element in its pure metallic form. It typically appears as metallic gray grains or tiny scales and is almost exclusively found by professional mineralogists rather than casual collectors.
Is this native vanadium?
4-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 native vanadium with a known reference. Native Vanadium sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel-gray.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: grains, scales, massive.
Often confused with
Native Vanadium vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Native Vanadium is noticeably harder (Mohs 7 vs. 4).
How to tell apart: Native Vanadium is noticeably harder (Mohs 7 vs. 2).
How to tell apart: Native Vanadium is noticeably harder (Mohs 7 vs. 2.5-2.75).
Often found alongside native vanadium
Minerals reported to co-occur with native vanadium. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- V
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 6.033 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Grains, scales, massive
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In sublimates from high-temperature (550-680° C) volcanic gases at active fumaroles
Where rockhounds find native vanadium
Classic worldwide localities
- Russia
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In sublimates from high-temperature (550-680° C) volcanic gases at active fumaroles. If you start seeing colimaite, shcherbinaite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: grains, scales, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify native vanadium?+
Where is native vanadium found?+
Is native vanadium safe to handle?+
What rocks look like native vanadium?+
What minerals are found with native vanadium?+
What kind of rock does native vanadium form in?+
What is native vanadium used for?+
Find native vanadium on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
