Mapiquiroite is a rare member of the crichtonite group characterized by its strontium and vanadium-rich composition. It typically occurs as small, dark, tabular metallic crystals found in hydrothermal veins. Because it is a rare mineral species from a limited number of localities, it is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors.
Is this mapiquiroite?
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 mapiquiroite with a known reference. Mapiquiroite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Mapiquiroite leaves a brownish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Mapiquiroite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Mapiquiroite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Mapiquiroite leaves brownish black, Crichtonite leaves black; luster reads metallic on Mapiquiroite and submetallic on Crichtonite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Mapiquiroite leaves brownish black, Lindsleyite leaves black; luster reads metallic on Mapiquiroite and submetallic on Lindsleyite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Mapiquiroite and submetallic on Mathiasite.
Often found alongside mapiquiroite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mapiquiroite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Sr,Pb)(V³⁺,Fe³⁺)₁₂O₁₉
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 4.81 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find mapiquiroite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mapiquiro, Peru
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where mapiquiroite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, hematite, anatase in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find mapiquiroite on the map
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