Panethite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral primarily discovered within stony-iron meteorites. It typically occurs as small, yellowish, transparent grains embedded in the meteorite matrix, requiring microscopic analysis for positive identification.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Panethite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this panethite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch panethite with a known reference. Panethite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Panethite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Panethite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.

Often confused with

Panethite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Farringtonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 3.5).

How to tell apart: Stanfieldite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5).

Compare →

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)₂(Mg,Fe²)₂(PO₄)₂
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.81 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Yellowish-brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Anhedral to Subhedral Grains
Cleavage: Distinct
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Stony-iron Meteorites
Typical price: very expensive, strictly research material

Where rockhounds find panethite

Classic worldwide localities

Dayton meteorite, USA
El Taco meteorite, Argentina

Field-hunting tip

Look in stony-iron meteorites country — that is the host setting where panethite typically forms. If you start seeing farringtonite, stanfieldite, olivine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to subhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify panethite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, yellowish-brown.

Where is panethite found?+

Notable localities include Dayton meteorite, USA; El Taco meteorite, Argentina.

How much is panethite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of very expensive, strictly research material. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like panethite?+

Panethite is most often confused with Farringtonite, Stanfieldite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with panethite?+

Panethite commonly co-occurs with Farringtonite, Stanfieldite, Olivine, Schreibersite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does panethite form in?+

Panethite typically forms in stony-iron meteorites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is panethite used for?+

Panethite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find panethite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.