Vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite is an extremely rare member of the tourmaline group characterized by its high vanadium and chromium content, which imparts a vivid green color. It typically occurs in metamorphic environments where vanadium-bearing fluids interact with tourmaline-forming precursors. Collectors prize it for its unique composition and intense, often saturated coloration.
Is this vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite?
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 vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite with a known reference. Vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite sits at Mohs 7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite leaves pale green, Dravite leaves light brown, white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite leaves pale green, Uvite leaves white, light green, light brown.
Often found alongside vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaV₃(Cr₄Mg₂)(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃O
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5
- Density
- 3.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Poor/indistinct on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A primary mineral in metaquartzite (granulite facies) in marble
Where rockhounds find vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pereval marble quarry, Sludyanka, Lake Baikal, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A primary mineral in metaquartzite (granulite facies) in marble. If you start seeing quartz, cr-v-bearing tremolite, diopside-kosmochlor-natalyite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite?+
Where is vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite found?+
Is vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite?+
What minerals are found with vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite?+
What kind of rock does vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite form in?+
What is vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite used for?+
Find vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite on the map
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