Oxyvanite is a rare vanadium oxide that forms black elongated ellipsoidal grains. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2008. It was first described from the Slyudyanka Complex, southern Baikal region, Russia, Madagascar.
Is this oxyvanite?
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 oxyvanite with a known reference. Oxyvanite sits at Mohs 7-7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: elongated ellipsoidal grains.
Often confused with
Oxyvanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Oxyvanite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7-7.5 vs. 6); streak differs, so Oxyvanite leaves black, Pseudobrookite leaves reddish brown to ocher-yellow; luster reads resinous on Oxyvanite and metallic adamantine, may be tarnished iridescent, greasy on fractures on Pseudobrookite.
How to tell apart: Oxyvanite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7-7.5 vs. 5-6); luster reads resinous on Oxyvanite and metallic to submetallic on Ilmenite.
How to tell apart: Oxyvanite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7-7.5 vs. 5-6); streak differs, so Oxyvanite leaves black, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown; luster reads resinous on Oxyvanite and metallic or submetallic to dull on Hematite.
Often found alongside oxyvanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with oxyvanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- V³⁺₂V⁴⁺O₅
- Mohs hardness
- 7-7.5
- Density
- 4.66 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Elongated ellipsoidal grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An accessory mineral in Cr-V-bearing quartz-diopside metamorphic rocks (Russia); in amphibolite to granulite facies quartzo-feldspathic gneisses (Madagascar)
Where rockhounds find oxyvanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Slyudyanka Complex, southern Baikal region, Russia (type locality) and the Green Giant vanadium-graphite deposit, 145 km southeast of Toliara, Tulear Region, Madagascar
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An accessory mineral in Cr-V-bearing quartz-diopside metamorphic rocks (Russia); in amphibolite to granulite facies quartzo-feldspathic gneisses (Madagascar). If you start seeing quartz, calcite, cr-bearing goldmanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: elongated ellipsoidal grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find oxyvanite on the map
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