Vanalite is a rare secondary vanadium mineral that typically forms as soft, yellow to orange-yellow crusts in sandstone. It is most commonly identified in oxidation zones of uranium-vanadium mines in the Colorado Plateau, where it appears in microscopic aggregates.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

Yellow

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Vanalite

Hardness: 1
Luster: Pearly
Streak: Yellow
Transparency: Translucent

Is this vanalite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch vanalite with a known reference. Vanalite sits at Mohs 1 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Vanalite leaves a yellow streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Vanalite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-orange.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crusts, aggregates of lath-like crystals.

Often confused with

Vanalite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Carnotite

Mohs 2

How to tell apart: Carnotite is the harder of the two (Mohs 2 vs. 1); luster reads pearly on Vanalite and dull on Carnotite.

How to tell apart: Tyuyamunite is the harder of the two (Mohs 2 vs. 1).

Compare →

Often found alongside vanalite

Minerals reported to co-occur with vanalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Al₄V₂O₂V₄O₁₂(OH)₄·11H₂O
Mohs hardness: 1
Density: 2.51 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Yellow-orange
Streak: Yellow
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Crusts, Aggregates of Lath-like Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Sedimentary Sandstone Containing Uranium-vanadium Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen depending on size and rarity

Where rockhounds find vanalite

Classic worldwide localities

Colorado Plateau, USA
Montrose County, Colorado, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in sedimentary sandstone containing uranium-vanadium deposits country — that is the host setting where vanalite typically forms. If you start seeing tyuyamunite, corvusite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, aggregates of lath-like crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vanalite?+

Mohs hardness is 1. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is yellow. Common colors include yellow, yellow-orange.

Where is vanalite found?+

Notable localities include Colorado Plateau, USA; Montrose County, Colorado, USA.

How much is vanalite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen depending on size and rarity. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is vanalite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains vanadium which can be toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Handle with gloves and wash hands thoroughly after contact. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like vanalite?+

Vanalite is most often confused with Carnotite, Tyuyamunite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with vanalite?+

Vanalite commonly co-occurs with tyuyamunite, corvusite, gypsum. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does vanalite form in?+

Vanalite typically forms in sedimentary sandstone containing uranium-vanadium deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vanalite used for?+

Vanalite is used in collector.

Find vanalite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.