Vanadio-oxy-dravite is an exceptionally rare member of the tourmaline group, characterized by its distinct vanadium content which imparts a vibrant green color. It typically forms as prismatic crystals within metamorphic rocks and is highly sought after by collectors for its specific mineralogical composition and rarity compared to standard dravite.
Is this vanadio-oxy-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-dravite with a known reference. Vanadio-oxy-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: green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals with rounded triangular cross-sections.
Often confused with
Vanadio-oxy-dravite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside vanadio-oxy-dravite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vanadio-oxy-dravite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na(V₃)(Mg₂Al₄)(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃O
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5
- Density
- 3.14 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals with rounded triangular cross-sections
- 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-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, diopside-kosmochlor-natalyite, cr-bearing goldmanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals with rounded triangular cross-sections. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vanadio-oxy-dravite?+
Where is vanadio-oxy-dravite found?+
Is vanadio-oxy-dravite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like vanadio-oxy-dravite?+
What minerals are found with vanadio-oxy-dravite?+
What kind of rock does vanadio-oxy-dravite form in?+
What is vanadio-oxy-dravite used for?+
Find vanadio-oxy-dravite on the map
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