Tivanite is a rare vanadium-titanium hydroxide mineral characterized by its black, prismatic crystal habit and submetallic luster. It is primarily known from the Kambalda region of Western Australia, where it occurs within hydrothermal veins associated with ultramafic rocks. Due to its scarcity, it is considered a specialty species sought after primarily by advanced mineral collectors.
Is this tivanite?
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 tivanite with a known reference. Tivanite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Tivanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads submetallic on Tivanite and metallic to submetallic on Ilmenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tivanite leaves black, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown; luster reads submetallic on Tivanite and metallic or submetallic to dull on Hematite.
Often found alongside tivanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tivanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- VTiO₃(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 4.17 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As a grain in micaceous V–Au-rich stringers in a hydrothermal gold deposit
Where rockhounds find tivanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lake View mine, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As a grain in micaceous V–Au-rich stringers in a hydrothermal gold deposit. If you start seeing quartz, nolanite, vanadium-rich muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tivanite on the map
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