Rusakovite is a rare hydrated iron vanadate mineral that typically forms as powdery crusts or earthy yellow to orange-yellow aggregates. It is primarily found in vanadium-rich sedimentary deposits and is highly prized by collectors for its distinct, vibrant yellow color and rarity. Because it is often soft and friable, it requires careful handling and storage to avoid damaging the specimen.
Is this rusakovite?
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 rusakovite with a known reference. Rusakovite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rusakovite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rusakovite typically shows a earthy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: powdery crusts, earthy aggregates, spherical nodules.
Often confused with
Rusakovite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Vanadinite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs — Rusakovite leaves yellow, Vanadinite leaves white; luster reads earthy on Rusakovite and resinous on Vanadinite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads earthy on Rusakovite and dull on Carnotite.
Often found alongside rusakovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rusakovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₅(VO₄)₂(OH)₉·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.95 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Powdery Crusts, Earthy Aggregates, Spherical Nodules
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Vanadium-bearing Sedimentary Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find rusakovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kurumsak deposit (Kazakhstan)
- Balasauskandyk (Kazakhstan)
Field-hunting tip
Look in vanadium-bearing sedimentary rocks country — that is the host setting where rusakovite typically forms. If you start seeing vanadinite, ferrivanadite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a powdery crusts, earthy aggregates, spherical nodules habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find rusakovite on the map
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