Olkhonskite is a very rare vanadium-titanium oxide mineral discovered in the metasomatic rocks of Olkhon Island. It typically occurs as microscopic yellow to brownish-yellow crusts or aggregates, making it primarily a species for specialized mineral collectors.
Is this olkhonskite?
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 olkhonskite with a known reference. Olkhonskite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Olkhonskite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Olkhonskite typically shows a earthy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fine-grained aggregates.
Often confused with
Olkhonskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Montroseite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Olkhonskite leaves yellow, Montroseite leaves black; luster reads earthy on Olkhonskite and metallic on Montroseite.
How to tell apart: Paramontroseite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Olkhonskite leaves yellow, Paramontroseite leaves black; luster reads earthy on Olkhonskite and metallic on Paramontroseite.
Often found alongside olkhonskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with olkhonskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (V,Cr)₂Ti₃O₉
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fine-grained Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metasomatic Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find olkhonskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in metasomatic rocks country, the host setting where olkhonskite typically forms. If you start seeing vesuvianite, diopside, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fine-grained aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find olkhonskite on the map
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