Patrónite is a rare vanadium sulfide mineral that typically occurs as massive, dark red to black aggregates within bituminous shales. It is best known as the primary ore mineral for vanadium at the famous Mina Ragra locality in Peru. Collectors should handle it with caution due to its composition and store it away from moisture to prevent degradation.
Is this patrónite?
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 patrónite with a known reference. Patrónite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Patrónite leaves a red streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Patrónite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red, reddish-brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Patrónite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Patrónite leaves red, Cinnabar leaves scarlet; luster reads dull on Patrónite and adamantine on Cinnabar.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Patrónite leaves red, Realgar leaves orange-red; luster reads dull on Patrónite and resinous on Realgar.
Often found alongside patrónite
Minerals reported to co-occur with patrónite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- VS₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Red
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Vanadium
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Bituminous Shales
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find patrónite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mina Ragra, Pasco Department, Peru
- Jianshui, Yunnan Province, China
- Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary bituminous shales country — that is the host setting where patrónite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, quenselite, bravoite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify patrónite?+
Where is patrónite found?+
How much is patrónite worth?+
Is patrónite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like patrónite?+
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Find patrónite on the map
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