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.
Is this paseroite?
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 paseroite with a known reference. Paseroite sits at Mohs 6-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Paseroite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Paseroite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 4.5-5); streak differs, so Paseroite leaves black, Crichtonite leaves dark gray; luster reads submetallic on Paseroite and metallic, dull to bright on Crichtonite.
How to tell apart: Lindsleyite is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. 6-6.5); streak differs, so Paseroite leaves black, Lindsleyite leaves gray; luster reads submetallic on Paseroite and metallic on Lindsleyite.
How to tell apart: Mathiasite is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. 6-6.5); streak differs, so Paseroite leaves black, Mathiasite leaves gray; luster reads submetallic on Paseroite and metallic on Mathiasite.
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(Mn²⁺,☐)(Fe³⁺,☐)₂(V⁵⁺,Ti⁴⁺,☐)₁₈O₃₈
- Mohs hardness
- 6-6.5
- Density
- 4.315 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In micro-cavities and fractures in a piece of fossilized wood, presumably precipitated from oxidized ground water
Where rockhounds find paseroite
Classic worldwide localities
- Alpe Siusi, Italy
- Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In micro-cavities and fractures in a piece of fossilized wood, presumably precipitated from oxidized ground water. If you start seeing quartz, chalcocite, volborthite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find paseroite on the map
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