Panasqueiraite is a rare phosphate mineral originally described from the world-famous tungsten mines in Panasqueira, Portugal. It typically occurs as small pink tabular crystals or aggregates within hydrothermal veins associated with other phosphates and tungsten minerals.
Is this panasqueiraite?
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 panasqueiraite with a known reference. Panasqueiraite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.
Often confused with
Panasqueiraite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside panasqueiraite
Minerals reported to co-occur with panasqueiraite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMgPO₄(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.22 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, aggregates
- Cleavage
- On {010}, poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare mineral in vein selvages in a hydrothermal Sn–W deposit
Where rockhounds find panasqueiraite
Classic worldwide localities
- Panasqueira Sn–W deposit, Portugal
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare mineral in vein selvages in a hydrothermal Sn–W deposit. If you start seeing fluorapatite, wolfeite, topaz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify panasqueiraite?+
Where is panasqueiraite found?+
What rocks look like panasqueiraite?+
What minerals are found with panasqueiraite?+
What kind of rock does panasqueiraite form in?+
What is panasqueiraite used for?+
Find panasqueiraite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
