Comparison · Arsenate Minerals vs Vanadate Minerals
Mimetite vs Vanadinite
Mimetite and Vanadinite are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Mimetite and Vanadinite
- Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Mimetite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Vanadinite leaves brownish yellow.
- They overlap in yellow, orange, and brown, but Mimetite also comes in green and white and Vanadinite also comes in red.
Mimetite vs Vanadinite properties
| Property | Mimetite | Vanadinite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Arsenate Minerals | Vanadate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 3.75 | 3 |
| Luster | resinous | resinous |
| Streak | White | Brownish yellow |
| Transparency | translucent | translucent |
| Specific gravity | 7.24 | 6.9 |
| Crystal system | hexagonal | hexagonal |
| Common colors | Yellow, Orange, Yellow-brown, Pale green, White | Red, Orange, Brown, Yellow |
| Rarity | uncommon | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $15–$600+ | $10–$500+ |
Which is more valuable?
Mimetite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $60 for Vanadinite, and premium Mimetite can reach $600 or more.
About Mimetite
Mimetite is a lead arsenate mineral that forms in the weathered zones of lead ore deposits. It is admired for its rounded botryoidal crusts and barrel-shaped crystals in warm yellow, orange, and brown tones.
About Vanadinite
Vanadinite is a lead chlorovanadate famous for its brilliant red to orange hexagonal crystals. A heavy, secondary mineral of oxidized lead deposits, it is highly sought by collectors and serves as an ore of both vanadium and lead.
Mimetite vs Vanadinite FAQ
Is Mimetite the same as Vanadinite?
No. Mimetite is a arsenate mineral while Vanadinite is a vanadate mineral. Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Mimetite from Vanadinite?
Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Mimetite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Vanadinite leaves brownish yellow. They overlap in yellow, orange, and brown, but Mimetite also comes in green and white and Vanadinite also comes in red.
Which is harder, Mimetite or Vanadinite?
Mimetite is harder: Mohs 3.75 against Mohs 3 for Vanadinite.
Which is more valuable, Mimetite or Vanadinite?
Mimetite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $60 for Vanadinite, and premium Mimetite can reach $600 or more.
