Pautovite is an exceptionally rare cesium iron sulfide mineral found primarily in alkaline pegmatites. It typically occurs as small, tabular trigonal crystals that can appear colorless to yellow or brown.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareBarite Group family

Pautovite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this pautovite?

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 pautovite with a known reference. Pautovite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pautovite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Pautovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside pautovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: CsFeS₂
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 4.15 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brown Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-500 depending on specimen size and clarity

Where rockhounds find pautovite

Classic worldwide localities

Alai Range, Kyrgyzstan
Mount Saint-Hilaire, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where pautovite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, sodalite 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 pautovite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, brown, colorless.

Where is pautovite found?+

Notable localities include Alai Range, Kyrgyzstan; Mount Saint-Hilaire, Canada.

How much is pautovite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on specimen size and clarity. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like pautovite?+

Pautovite is most often confused with Baryte, Celestite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with pautovite?+

Pautovite commonly co-occurs with Aegirine, Microcline, Sodalite, Nepheline. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does pautovite form in?+

Pautovite typically forms in alkaline pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is pautovite used for?+

Pautovite is used in collector.

Find pautovite on the map

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