Phosphovanadylite-Ca is a rare phosphate mineral characterized by its vibrant blue, cubic-habit crystals. It is primarily sought by advanced mineral collectors and is typically found as small crystalline crusts in iron-rich phosphate environments.
Is this phosphovanadylite-ca?
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-ca with a known reference. Phosphovanadylite-Ca 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. Phosphovanadylite-Ca leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Phosphovanadylite-Ca typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, greenish blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: cubo-octahedral crystals, often as small drusy crusts.
Often confused with
Phosphovanadylite-Ca vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside phosphovanadylite-ca
Minerals reported to co-occur with phosphovanadylite-ca. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaV⁴⁺₄P₂O₁₂(OH)₄·12H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.51 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Cubo-octahedral Crystals, Often as Small Drusy Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Iron Formations and Phosphate-rich Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per thumbnail specimen
Where rockhounds find phosphovanadylite-ca
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Fish River, Yukon Territory, Canada
- Spring Creek Mine, Queensland, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary iron formations and phosphate-rich deposits country — that is the host setting where phosphovanadylite-ca typically forms. If you start seeing gypsum, goethite, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a cubo-octahedral crystals, often as small drusy crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify phosphovanadylite-ca?+
Where is phosphovanadylite-ca found?+
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What rocks look like phosphovanadylite-ca?+
What minerals are found with phosphovanadylite-ca?+
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Find phosphovanadylite-ca on the map
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