Starovaite is a rare potassium copper vanadate discovered in the volcanic fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano. It typically forms small, vibrant yellow to greenish-golden brown to reddish brown tabular crystals that are highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors specializing in rare volcanic species.
Is this starovaite?
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 starovaite with a known reference. Starovaite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellowish brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: semi-metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: golden brown, reddish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Starovaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Starovaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs, so Starovaite leaves yellowish brown, Lanarkite leaves white; luster reads semi-metallic on Starovaite and adamantine to resinous, pearly on cleavage surfaces on Lanarkite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Starovaite leaves yellowish brown, Euchroite leaves green; luster reads semi-metallic on Starovaite and vitreous on Euchroite.
Often found alongside starovaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with starovaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KCu₅O(VO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.54 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish brown
- Luster
- Semi-metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In sublimates around a volcanic fumarole
Where rockhounds find starovaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Yadovitaya (poisonous) fumarole, Second scoria cone of the Northern Breach, Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In sublimates around a volcanic fumarole. If you start seeing lammerite, hematite, palmierite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify starovaite?+
Where is starovaite found?+
Is starovaite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like starovaite?+
What minerals are found with starovaite?+
What kind of rock does starovaite form in?+
What is starovaite used for?+
Find starovaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
