Vanadoandrosite-(Ce) is a rare silicate mineral belonging to the epidote group, primarily identified by its distinct chemical composition containing vanadium and cerium. It typically appears as dark, opaque grains or massive aggregates within metamorphic environments. Collectors primarily prize it for its rarity and its status as a mineral species unique to its type locality.
Is this vanadoandrosite-(ce)?
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 vanadoandrosite-(ce) with a known reference. Vanadoandrosite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 6-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains or massive.
Often confused with
Vanadoandrosite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vanadoandrosite-(Ce) leaves brown, Epidote leaves grayish white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vanadoandrosite-(Ce) leaves brown, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Vanadoandrosite-(Ce) and submetallic on Allanite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vanadoandrosite-(Ce) leaves brown, Clinozoisite leaves grayish white.
Often found alongside vanadoandrosite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with vanadoandrosite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnCeVAlMnO(Si₂O₇)(SiO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 6-6.5
- Density
- 4.27 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Vitreous to adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to subhedral grains or massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In quartz-rhodochrosite-sulfide veins cross-cutting massive rhodochrosite ore, as well as in the ore itself, in quartz grains rimmed by chalcopyrite
Where rockhounds find vanadoandrosite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Vielle Aure mining district, central Pyrenees, France (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In quartz-rhodochrosite-sulfide veins cross-cutting massive rhodochrosite ore, as well as in the ore itself, in quartz grains rimmed by chalcopyrite. If you start seeing quartz, vuorelainenite, rhodochrosite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains or massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vanadoandrosite-(ce)?+
Where is vanadoandrosite-(ce) found?+
Is vanadoandrosite-(ce) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like vanadoandrosite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with vanadoandrosite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does vanadoandrosite-(ce) form in?+
What is vanadoandrosite-(ce) used for?+
Find vanadoandrosite-(ce) on the map
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