Pauflerite is a rare vanadium sulfate mineral found primarily in the fumarolic deposits of the Tolbachik volcano. It typically forms deep orange, tabular crystals and is known for its sensitivity to humidity and heat. Collectors prize it for its unique chemical composition and limited locality occurrence.
Is this pauflerite?
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 pauflerite with a known reference. Pauflerite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pauflerite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pauflerite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: deep orange, reddish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Pauflerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pauflerite leaves yellow, Vanadinite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Pauflerite and resinous on Vanadinite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pauflerite leaves yellow, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red; luster reads vitreous on Pauflerite and greasy to adamantine on Descloizite.
Often found alongside pauflerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pauflerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- VOSO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumaroles
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and quality
Where rockhounds find pauflerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumaroles country — that is the host setting where pauflerite typically forms. If you start seeing anhydrite, thenardite, hematite 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 pauflerite?+
Where is pauflerite found?+
How much is pauflerite worth?+
Is pauflerite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like pauflerite?+
What minerals are found with pauflerite?+
What kind of rock does pauflerite form in?+
What is pauflerite used for?+
Find pauflerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
