Ravatite is a rare organic mineral composed of phenanthrene, typically found as a sublimation product in burning coal seams. It usually occurs as fragile, colorless to white crusts and is extremely sensitive to heat and pressure. It is highly sought after by collectors of exotic organic mineral species.
Is this ravatite?
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 ravatite with a known reference. Ravatite sits at Mohs ~1, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to waxy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: subhedral to anhedral grains or thin crusts.
Often found alongside ravatite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ravatite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- C₁₄H₁₀
- Mohs hardness
- ~1
- Density
- 1.11 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Subhedral to anhedral grains or thin crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare sublimate formed in burning coal seams at < 50°C–60°C
Where rockhounds find ravatite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ravat, Fan-Jagnob coal basin, Dushambe, Tajikistan (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare sublimate formed in burning coal seams at < 50°C–60°C. If you start seeing selenium in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: subhedral to anhedral grains or thin crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ravatite?+
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What minerals are found with ravatite?+
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Find ravatite on the map
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