Satpaevite is a rare aluminum vanadium oxide mineral typically occurring as delicate yellow, radiating fibrous or acicular crusts. It is primarily found in the oxidized zones of sandstone-hosted uranium-vanadium deposits, often requiring magnification for clear identification of its crystal form.
Is this satpaevite?
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 satpaevite with a known reference. Satpaevite sits at Mohs 1.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly on the cleavage; dull when fine-grained.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: greenish yellow, dull yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular, massive.
Often confused with
Satpaevite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Satpaevite leaves yellow, Carnotite leaves strontian-yellow; luster reads pearly on the cleavage; dull when fine-grained on Satpaevite and dull, earthy; silky when crystalline on Carnotite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Satpaevite leaves yellow, Tyuyamunite leaves light yellow; luster reads pearly on the cleavage; dull when fine-grained on Satpaevite and adamantine, pearly on {001}, may be dull to waxy if massive on Tyuyamunite.
Often found alongside satpaevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with satpaevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₁₂V₂V₆O₃₇·30H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5
- Density
- 2.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Greenish yellowDull yellow
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly on the cleavage; dull when fine-grained
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, massive
- Cleavage
- One direction, perfect, pinacoidal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the oxidation zone of a vanadiferous clay-anthraxolite horizon
Where rockhounds find satpaevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kurumsak and Balasauskandyk vanadium deposits, northwest Kara-Tau Mountains, southern Kazakhstan. northwestern Kara-Tau Mountains, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the oxidation zone of a vanadiferous clay-anthraxolite horizon. If you start seeing steigerite, vanalite, hewettite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find satpaevite on the map
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