Oxyvanite is a rare member of the pseudobrookite group that occurs as small, dark, prismatic crystals within volcanic cavities. It is often found associated with minerals like sanidine in alkaline igneous environments. Collectors prize it for its specific chemical composition and occurrence in rare volcanic mineral assemblages.
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 5.5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Oxyvanite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Oxyvanite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Oxyvanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Oxyvanite leaves black, Pseudobrookite leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Oxyvanite and adamantine on Pseudobrookite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Oxyvanite leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads submetallic on Oxyvanite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
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
- Fe³⁺₂TiO₅
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 4.45-4.50 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Volcanic Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-100 micro/thumbnail
Where rockhounds find oxyvanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Eifel, Germany
- Puy-de-Dôme, France
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic rocks country — that is the host setting where oxyvanite typically forms. If you start seeing sanidine, augite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so 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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