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 — 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 — that is 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.