Paseroite is an extremely rare lead-manganese vanadate-titanate mineral belonging to the crichtonite group. It typically occurs as small, dark brown to black tabular crystals within hydrothermal veins, often found in the alpine-type fissures of northern Italy.

Hardness

5-6

Mohs

Luster

Submetallic

Streak

Brownish Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareCrichtonite Group family

Paseroite

Hardness: 5-6
Luster: Submetallic
Streak: Brownish Black
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this paseroite?

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 paseroite with a known reference. Paseroite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Paseroite leaves a brownish black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Paseroite typically shows a submetallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark brown, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Crichtonite

Mohs 5-6

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Paseroite leaves brownish black, Crichtonite leaves black.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Paseroite leaves brownish black, Lindsleyite leaves black.

Often found alongside paseroite

Minerals reported to co-occur with paseroite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Pb(Mn,Fe,□)₂(Ti,Fe,V)₁₈O₃₈
Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 4.67 g/cm³
Colors: Dark Brown Black
Streak: Brownish Black
Luster: Submetallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins in Porphyritic Rocks
Typical price: $50-300+ per specimen

Where rockhounds find paseroite

Classic worldwide localities

Alpe Siusi, Italy
Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins in porphyritic rocks country, the host setting where paseroite typically forms. If you start seeing hematite, ilmenite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify paseroite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. It typically shows a submetallic luster. The streak is brownish black. Common colors include dark brown, black.

Where is paseroite found?+

Notable localities include Alpe Siusi, Italy; Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy.

How much is paseroite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300+ per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like paseroite?+

Paseroite is most often confused with Crichtonite, Lindsleyite, Mathiasite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with paseroite?+

Paseroite commonly co-occurs with Hematite, Ilmenite, Quartz, Adularia. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does paseroite form in?+

Paseroite typically forms in hydrothermal veins in porphyritic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is paseroite used for?+

Paseroite is used in collector.

Find paseroite on the map

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