Orthominasragrite is an extremely rare secondary vanadium sulfate mineral found primarily in the oxidized zone of vanadium deposits. It typically forms as delicate, light-blue crystalline crusts or aggregates that are highly sensitive to humidity and dehydration.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale blue

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrareCopiapite Group family

Orthominasragrite

Hardness: ~1
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale blue
Transparency: Semitransparent

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Is this orthominasragrite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch orthominasragrite with a known reference. Orthominasragrite sits at Mohs ~1, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale blue.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bright blue, pale blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: encrustations.

Often confused with

Orthominasragrite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Retgersite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Retgersite is the harder of the two (Mohs 2.5 vs. ~1).

How to tell apart: Melanterite is the harder of the two (Mohs 2 vs. ~1); streak differs, so Orthominasragrite leaves pale blue, Melanterite leaves white.

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Often found alongside orthominasragrite

Minerals reported to co-occur with orthominasragrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: VO(SO₄)(H₂O)₅
Mohs hardness: ~1
Density: 2.00 g/cm³
Colors: Bright blue Pale blue
Streak: Pale blue
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Encrustations
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a silicified tree, formed as an oxidation product of pyrite reacting with vanadium-rich organic material

Where rockhounds find orthominasragrite

Classic worldwide localities

Triassic Shinarump conglomerate at the North Mesa Mina group, Emery County, Utah, USA (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a silicified tree, formed as an oxidation product of pyrite reacting with vanadium-rich organic material. If you start seeing minasragrite, pyrite, szomolnokite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify orthominasragrite?+

Mohs hardness is ~1. Luster: vitreous. The streak is pale blue. Common colors include bright blue, pale blue.

Where is orthominasragrite found?+

Notable localities include Triassic Shinarump conglomerate at the North Mesa Mina group, Emery County, Utah, USA (type locality).

Is orthominasragrite safe to handle?+

Orthominasragrite contains vanadium. Contains vanadium which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens.

What rocks look like orthominasragrite?+

Orthominasragrite is most often confused with Retgersite, Melanterite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with orthominasragrite?+

Orthominasragrite commonly co-occurs with Minasragrite, Pyrite, Szomolnokite, Kornelite, Ferricopiapite, Rozenite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does orthominasragrite form in?+

Where it forms: In a silicified tree, formed as an oxidation product of pyrite reacting with vanadium-rich organic material. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is orthominasragrite used for?+

Orthominasragrite is used in collector.

Find orthominasragrite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.