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

Mohs

Luster

Resinous, more or less splendent

Streak

Brown

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareTourmaline Group family

Povondraite

Hardness: ~7
Luster: Resinous, more or less splendent
Streak: Brown
Transparency: Translucent

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 ~7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brown.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous, more or less splendent.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic, striated.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Schorl

Mohs 7

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Povondraite leaves brown, Schorl leaves white; luster reads resinous, more or less splendent on Povondraite and vitreous to resinous on Schorl.

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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: ~7
Density: 3.26 g/cm³
Colors: Black
Streak: Brown
Luster: Resinous, more or less splendent
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Prismatic, striated
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: Very rare, in fractures and lining cavities in schist metamorphosed from sedimentary rocks

Where rockhounds find povondraite

Classic worldwide localities

San Francisco mine, near Villa Tunari, Alto Chapare, Cochabamba, Bolivia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Very rare, in fractures and lining cavities in schist metamorphosed from sedimentary rocks. If you start seeing quartz, potassic feldspar, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify povondraite?+

Mohs hardness is ~7. Luster: resinous, more or less splendent. The streak is brown. Common colors include black.

Where is povondraite found?+

Notable localities include San Francisco mine, near Villa Tunari, Alto Chapare, Cochabamba, Bolivia.

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, Potassic feldspar, Muscovite, Schorl, Riebeckite, Magnesite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does povondraite form in?+

Where it forms: Very rare, in fractures and lining cavities in schist metamorphosed from sedimentary rocks. 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.