Turanite is a rare copper vanadium hydroxide typically found as earthy, botryoidal crusts or radial aggregates in the oxidized zones of ore deposits. It is best identified by its distinct pistachio-green color and its association with other secondary copper minerals in vanadium-rich geological environments.
Is this turanite?
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 turanite with a known reference. Turanite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Turanite leaves a yellowish-green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Turanite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark olive-green, pistachio-green, blackish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: botryoidal, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Turanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside turanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with turanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₅(VO₄)₂(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish-green
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, Crusts, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zone of Copper-vanadium Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find turanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tyuya-Muyun, Kyrgyzstan
- Bisbee, Arizona, USA
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zone of copper-vanadium deposits country — that is the host setting where turanite typically forms. If you start seeing malachite, calcite, vanadinite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal, crusts, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify turanite?+
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Find turanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
