Povondraite is a rare member of the tourmaline group, typically forming as fine, acicular needles or dark, fibrous mats. Collectors primarily prize it for its unique iron-rich composition and its relative scarcity in well-crystallized form compared to common black schorl.

Hardness

6.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Brownish Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareTourmaline Group family

Povondraite

Hardness: 6.5-7
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Brownish Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this povondraite?

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 povondraite with a known reference. Povondraite sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Povondraite leaves a brownish black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Povondraite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: acicular needles, radiating fibrous aggregates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Schorl

Mohs 7-7.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Povondraite leaves brownish black, Schorl leaves white.

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Often found alongside povondraite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaFe³⁺₃(Fe³⁺₄Mg₂)Si₆O₁₈(BO₃)₃(OH)₃O
Mohs hardness: 6.5-7
Density: 3.36 g/cm³
Colors: Black Dark Brown
Streak: Brownish Black
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Acicular Needles, Radiating Fibrous Aggregates
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins in Granitic Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-500 depending on specimen quality and rarity

Where rockhounds find povondraite

Classic worldwide localities

San Piero in Campo, Elba, Italy
Alto Chaparral, California, USA
Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins in granitic pegmatites country, the host setting where povondraite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular needles, radiating fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify povondraite?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5-7. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is brownish black. Common colors include black, dark brown.

Where is povondraite found?+

Notable localities include San Piero in Campo, Elba, Italy; Alto Chaparral, California, USA; Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA.

How much is povondraite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on specimen quality and rarity. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like povondraite?+

Povondraite is most often confused with Schorl. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with povondraite?+

Povondraite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Albite, Microcline, Hematite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does povondraite form in?+

Povondraite typically forms in hydrothermal veins in granitic pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is povondraite used for?+

Povondraite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find povondraite on the map

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