Vránaite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral discovered in the Czech Republic. It typically occurs as small, colorful crystalline aggregates within complex granitic pegmatite environments.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Vránaite

Vránaite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral discovered in the Czech Republic. It typically occurs as small, colorful crystalline aggregates within complex granitic pegmatite environments.

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

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Is this vránaite?

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 vránaite with a known reference. Vránaite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Vránaite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Vránaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, orange, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside vránaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Al₁₆(PO₄)₄(HPO₄)₂O₄(OH)₁₀
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 3.84 g/cm³
Colors: Pink Orange Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Anhedral Grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Granite Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find vránaite

Classic worldwide localities

Vrána quarry, Czech Republic

Field-hunting tip

Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where vránaite typically forms. If you start seeing graftonite, beusite, triphylite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vránaite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include pink, orange, brown.

Where is vránaite found?+

Notable localities include Vrána quarry, Czech Republic.

How much is vránaite worth?+

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

What rocks look like vránaite?+

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

What minerals are found with vránaite?+

Vránaite commonly co-occurs with graftonite, beusite, triphylite, apatite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does vránaite form in?+

Vránaite typically forms in granite pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vránaite used for?+

Vránaite is used in collector.

Find vránaite on the map

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