Panguite is a rare titanium-rich mineral discovered as microscopic grains within the Allende meteorite. It is significant to mineralogists as one of the oldest minerals in the solar system, forming in the early stages of the solar nebula.
Is this panguite?
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 panguite with a known reference. Panguite sits at Mohs null — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Panguite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Panguite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: deep reddish-brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: sub-micrometric grains.
Often confused with
Panguite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Panguite leaves brown, Grossite leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Panguite and vitreous on Grossite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Panguite leaves brown, Hibonite leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Panguite and vitreous on Hibonite.
Often found alongside panguite
Minerals reported to co-occur with panguite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ti⁴⁺,Sc,Al,Mg,Zr,Ca,Fe)₁₈O₂₉
- Mohs hardness
- null
- Density
- 3.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Sub-micrometric Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- CAI (Calcium-Aluminum-rich Inclusions) Within CV3 Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorites
- Typical price
- priceless (scientific research material only)
Where rockhounds find panguite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allende meteorite (Mexico)
Field-hunting tip
Look in cai (calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions) within cv3 carbonaceous chondrite meteorites country — that is the host setting where panguite typically forms. If you start seeing grossite, hibonite, perovskite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a sub-micrometric grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find panguite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
