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 — 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 — that is 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
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