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, so Mapiquiroite leaves brownish black, Crichtonite leaves black; luster reads metallic on Mapiquiroite and submetallic on Crichtonite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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