Pandoraite-Ca is a rare vanadate mineral that typically forms as delicate, pale yellow platy crystals or scales on sandstone surfaces. It is primarily found in the secondary oxidation zones of vanadium-bearing uranium deposits in the Colorado Plateau region. Due to its scarcity and fragile nature, it is a highly sought-after specimen for advanced mineral collectors.
Is this pandoraite-ca?
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 pandoraite-ca with a known reference. Pandoraite-Ca sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pandoraite-Ca leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pandoraite-Ca typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, scales.
Often confused with
Pandoraite-Ca vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside pandoraite-ca
Minerals reported to co-occur with pandoraite-ca. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃V₁₀O₂₈·24H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.17 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Scales
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sandstone
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find pandoraite-ca
Classic worldwide localities
- La Sal District, Utah, USA
- Montrose County, Colorado, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sandstone country — that is the host setting where pandoraite-ca typically forms. If you start seeing gypsum, carnotite, pascoite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, scales habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pandoraite-ca on the map
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