Panichiite is an extremely rare ammonium stannochloride mineral typically found in volcanic fumaroles. It generally occurs as tiny tabular crystals, often forming as sublimates in high-temperature volcanic environments. Collectors rarely encounter it outside of specific research-grade mineral suites from its type locality at Vulcano.
Is this panichiite?
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 panichiite with a known reference. Panichiite sits at Mohs 2.5, 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: colorless, white, very pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Panichiite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside panichiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with panichiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (NH₄)₂SnCl₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.43 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A sublimate on cinder at a medium temperature intracrater fumarole (~250 °C)
Where rockhounds find panichiite
Classic worldwide localities
- La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A sublimate on cinder at a medium temperature intracrater fumarole (~250 °C). If you start seeing alunite, anhydrite, bismuthinite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: octahedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify panichiite?+
Where is panichiite found?+
What rocks look like panichiite?+
What minerals are found with panichiite?+
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Find panichiite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
