Parascandolaite is an extremely rare fluoride mineral first discovered in the volcanic fumaroles of Mount Vesuvius. It typically occurs as small, colorless tabular crystals and is known for its formation in high-temperature volcanic gas environments.
Is this parascandolaite?
4-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 parascandolaite with a known reference. Parascandolaite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Parascandolaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside parascandolaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with parascandolaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KMgF₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.11 g/cm³
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A volcanic sublimate from a fumarole with temperature ~ 80° C. Also as nano-inclusions in alluvial diamonds (Brazil)
Where rockhounds find parascandolaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Found at Vesuvius, Naples, Italy on scoria from the 1944 eruption around fumarole B5
- Juina area, Mato Grosso State, Brazil (inclusion in diamond)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A volcanic sublimate from a fumarole with temperature ~ 80° C. Also as nano-inclusions in alluvial diamonds (Brazil). If you start seeing opal, cerussite, mimetite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify parascandolaite?+
Where is parascandolaite found?+
Is parascandolaite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like parascandolaite?+
What minerals are found with parascandolaite?+
What kind of rock does parascandolaite form in?+
What is parascandolaite used for?+
Find parascandolaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
