Vuorelainenite is a rare member of the spinel group, specifically a vanadium-rich manganese spinel. It is typically found in metamorphosed manganese-rich ore deposits and can be challenging to distinguish from other dark, metallic oxides without chemical analysis.
Is this vuorelainenite?
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 vuorelainenite with a known reference. Vuorelainenite sits at Mohs 6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown gray, grayish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Vuorelainenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Vuorelainenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 5.5); streak differs, so Vuorelainenite leaves black, Hausmannite leaves dark reddish brown; luster reads metallic on Vuorelainenite and submetallic on Hausmannite.
Often found alongside vuorelainenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vuorelainenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnV₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 4.64 g/cm³
- Colors
- Brown grayGrayish black
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a metamorphosed iron sulfide deposit associated with submarine felsic volcanism (Sätra mine, Sweden); in quartzite schists (Ol’khon Gate Straits, Lake Baikal, Russia)
Where rockhounds find vuorelainenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sätra mine, Doverstorp, Bergslagen metallic province, Sweden
- Outokumpu, Finland
- Found 4.5 km south of the Ol’khon Gate Strait, on the western shore of Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a metamorphosed iron sulfide deposit associated with submarine felsic volcanism (Sätra mine, Sweden); in quartzite schists (Ol’khon Gate Straits, Lake Baikal, Russia). If you start seeing pyrrhotite, rutile, pyrophanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find vuorelainenite on the map
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