Schubnelite is a rare hydrated iron vanadate mineral typically found as small, brilliant yellow-orange 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. Schubnelite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schubnelite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial 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 — Schubnelite leaves yellow, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red; luster reads adamantine on Schubnelite and greasy to adamantine on Descloizite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Schubnelite leaves yellow, Mottramite leaves yellowish green; luster reads adamantine 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
- Fe³⁺Fe²⁺(VO₄)₂(OH)·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Vanadium-bearing Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find schubnelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mounana mine, Gabon
- Ojuela Mine, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of vanadium-bearing ore deposits country — that is the host setting where schubnelite typically forms. If you start seeing vanadinite, descloizite, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find schubnelite on the map
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