Schubnelite is a rare hydrated iron vanadate mineral typically found as small, black bladed crystals or radial clusters. It is primarily known from the oxidized zones of vanadium deposits, often appearing as a secondary mineral alongside other vanadates like descloizite. Due to its scarcity, it is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this schubnelite?
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 schubnelite with a known reference. Schubnelite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: brilliant.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, yellowish, greenish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: aggregates.
Often confused with
Schubnelite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Schubnelite leaves brown, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish red; luster reads brilliant on Schubnelite and greasy on Descloizite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Schubnelite leaves brown, Mottramite leaves yellowish green; luster reads brilliant on Schubnelite and greasy on Mottramite.
Often found alongside schubnelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schubnelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeVO₄(H₂O)
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.28-3.29 g/cm³
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Brilliant
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- At the base of the oxidized zone of a uranium deposit (Mounana mine, Gabon); in a hydrothermal gold deposit (Gold Quarry mine, Nevada, USA)
Where rockhounds find schubnelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Monument No. 2 mine, Monument Valley, Apache Co., Arizona, USA
- Gold Quarry mine, near Carlin, Maggie Creek district, Eureka Co., Nevada, USA
- Mounana uranium mine, Franceville, Gabon
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: At the base of the oxidized zone of a uranium deposit (Mounana mine, Gabon); in a hydrothermal gold deposit (Gold Quarry mine, Nevada, USA). If you start seeing fervanite, goethite, kazakhstanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schubnelite?+
Where is schubnelite found?+
Is schubnelite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like schubnelite?+
What minerals are found with schubnelite?+
What kind of rock does schubnelite form in?+
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Find schubnelite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
