Paganoite is an extremely rare nickel bismuth arsenate mineral found in hydrothermal environments. It typically forms as small, distinctive yellow to brownish tabular crystals and is known primarily from the type locality in Germany.
Is this paganoite?
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 paganoite with a known reference. Paganoite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Paganoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Paganoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.
Often found alongside paganoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paganoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NiBi(AsO₄)O
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 4.49 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and quality
Where rockhounds find paganoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Johanngeorgenstadt, Saxony, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where paganoite typically forms. If you start seeing picropharmacolite, pharmacolite, nickelaustinite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find paganoite on the map
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