Nolanite is a rare vanadium-iron oxide typically found in hydrothermal uranium deposits. It is best identified by its metallic bronze luster and occurrence as small, platy hexagonal crystals within uranium-bearing ores.
Is this nolanite?
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 nolanite with a known reference. Nolanite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nolanite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nolanite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Nolanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nolanite leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic on Nolanite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Nolanite and submetallic on Manaccanite.
Often found alongside nolanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nolanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- V₈Fe₃O₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.96 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Uranium Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find nolanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Athabasca basin, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Guanajuato, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal uranium deposits country, the host setting where nolanite typically forms. If you start seeing pitchblende, clausthalite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nolanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
