Phosphovanadylite-Ba is a rare secondary phosphate mineral found primarily in unique sedimentary environments where vanadium-rich solutions interact with phosphate minerals. It is best identified by its vibrant green, square-shaped, transparent cubic crystals often forming on matrix with other secondary minerals. Due to its scarcity and delicate nature, it is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors.
Is this phosphovanadylite-ba?
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 phosphovanadylite-ba with a known reference. Phosphovanadylite-Ba sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: very pale greenish blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale greenish blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: cubo-octahedral crystals, often as small, delicate, square-shaped tabular forms.
Often confused with
Phosphovanadylite-Ba vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Phosphovanadylite-Ba is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 2).
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Phosphovanadylite-Ba leaves very pale greenish blue, Vashegyite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Phosphovanadylite-Ba and dull to waxy on Vashegyite.
Often found alongside phosphovanadylite-ba
Minerals reported to co-occur with phosphovanadylite-ba. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaV₄P₂O₁₀(OH)₆·12H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.16 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pale greenish blue
- Streak
- Very pale greenish blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Cubo-octahedral crystals, often as small, delicate, square-shaped tabular forms
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare mineral coating organic-rich phosphatic mudstone
Where rockhounds find phosphovanadylite-ba
Classic worldwide localities
- Enoch Valley phosphate mine, Soda Springs, Caribou Co., Idaho, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare mineral coating organic-rich phosphatic mudstone. If you start seeing sincosite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: cubo-octahedral crystals, often as small, delicate, square-shaped tabular forms. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify phosphovanadylite-ba?+
Where is phosphovanadylite-ba found?+
Is phosphovanadylite-ba safe to handle?+
What rocks look like phosphovanadylite-ba?+
What minerals are found with phosphovanadylite-ba?+
What kind of rock does phosphovanadylite-ba form in?+
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Find phosphovanadylite-ba on the map
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