Strelkinite is a rare sodium vanadium oxide mineral typically found as secondary crusts or powdery coatings in oxidized vanadium-bearing deposits. It is best identified by its distinct bright yellow color and occurrence within sedimentary sandstone formations. Because of its rarity and often fragile habit, specimens are primarily sought after by advanced mineral collectors.
Is this strelkinite?
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 strelkinite with a known reference. Strelkinite 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. Strelkinite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Strelkinite typically shows a earthy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, bright yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, powdery, or as coatings.
Often confused with
Strelkinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside strelkinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with strelkinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂V₆O₁₆·10H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Powdery, Or as Coatings
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Sandstone Associated with Vanadium Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find strelkinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Strelka, Russia
- Colorado, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary sandstone associated with vanadium deposits country — that is the host setting where strelkinite typically forms. If you start seeing vanadinite, hewettite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, powdery, or as coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find strelkinite on the map
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