Wernerbaurite is a rare secondary vanadium mineral that forms in oxidized zones of uranium-vanadium bearing sandstones. It typically presents as small, fragile yellow-to-brown tabular crystals or crusts that are highly soluble and sensitive to atmospheric humidity.
Is this wernerbaurite?
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 wernerbaurite with a known reference. Wernerbaurite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wernerbaurite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wernerbaurite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, crusts.
Often confused with
Wernerbaurite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Wernerbaurite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Wernerbaurite leaves yellowish-white, Pascoite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Wernerbaurite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Wernerbaurite leaves yellowish-white, Sherwoodite leaves light blue.
Often found alongside wernerbaurite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wernerbaurite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaFe²⁺V₄O₁₀·16H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.5-2.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Sandstone Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for micromounts and thumbnails
Where rockhounds find wernerbaurite
Classic worldwide localities
- Colorado, USA
- Utah, USA
- Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary sandstone deposits country — that is the host setting where wernerbaurite typically forms. If you start seeing carnotite, gypsum, tyuyamunite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wernerbaurite on the map
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