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

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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 — Paseroite leaves brownish black, Crichtonite leaves black.

How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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.