Panethite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral primarily discovered within stony-iron meteorites. It typically occurs as small, pale amber, transparent grains embedded in the meteorite matrix, requiring microscopic analysis for positive identification.
Is this panethite?
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 panethite with a known reference. Panethite sits at Mohs 3.5, 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: brownish yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Panethite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside panethite
Minerals reported to co-occur with panethite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,Ca,K)₁-x(Mg,Fe,Mn)PO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.9-3.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- A very rare mineral in phosphate nodules in an iron meteorite
Where rockhounds find panethite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dayton meteorite, Montgomery County, Ohio, USA (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A very rare mineral in phosphate nodules in an iron meteorite. If you start seeing brianite, whitlockite, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify panethite?+
Where is panethite found?+
What rocks look like panethite?+
What minerals are found with panethite?+
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What is panethite used for?+
Find panethite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
