Vanarsite is a rare vanadium-bearing mineral typically found as dark green to black earthy crusts or acicular aggregates in vanadium-rich sandstone deposits. It is known primarily from the Colorado Plateau region and requires careful identification due to its similarity to other secondary vanadium minerals.
Is this vanarsite?
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 vanarsite with a known reference. Vanarsite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Vanarsite leaves a yellowish-green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Vanarsite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crusts, aggregates of lath-like crystals.
Often confused with
Vanarsite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Vanarsite leaves yellowish-green, Pascoite leaves yellow; luster reads resinous on Vanarsite and vitreous on Pascoite.
How to tell apart: Vanarsite is noticeably harder (Mohs 2 vs. approx 1); streak differs — Vanarsite leaves yellowish-green, Hewettite leaves brownish red; luster reads resinous on Vanarsite and pearly on Hewettite.
Often found alongside vanarsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vanarsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (H₄V¹⁰O₂₈)·10H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-green
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Aggregates of Lath-like Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sandstone
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find vanarsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vanadium Queen Mine, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sandstone country — that is the host setting where vanarsite typically forms. If you start seeing gypsum, barite, montroseite 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
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Find vanarsite on the map
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