Vladimirite is a rare calcium arsenate mineral that typically forms striking white, rosette-like or radial crystal aggregates. It is almost exclusively found as a secondary mineral in oxidized zones of arsenic-rich hydrothermal deposits, often associated with other rare arsenate minerals.
Is this vladimirite?
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 vladimirite with a known reference. Vladimirite 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. Vladimirite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Vladimirite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: radial aggregates, rosettes, crusts.
Often confused with
Vladimirite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside vladimirite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vladimirite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄(AsO₄)₂As₂O₇·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Radial Aggregates, Rosettes, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Mineralogical Study
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Arsenic-rich Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find vladimirite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khovu-Aksy, Tuva, Russia
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
- Bou Azzer, Morocco
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal arsenic-rich deposits country — that is the host setting where vladimirite typically forms. If you start seeing pharmacolite, picropharmacolite, arsenolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a radial aggregates, rosettes, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find vladimirite on the map
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