Pintadoite is a rare vanadium mineral that typically occurs as thin, bright green crusts or efflorescences on sandstone surfaces. It is primarily found in the uranium-vanadium deposits of the Colorado Plateau, where it forms through the oxidation of primary vanadium-bearing minerals. Collectors should look for its distinctive yellow-green coating in desert sandstone outcrops.

Hardness

1-2

Mohs

Luster

Dull

Streak

Yellow green

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Pintadoite

Hardness: 1-2
Luster: Dull
Streak: Yellow green
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this pintadoite?

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 pintadoite with a known reference. Pintadoite sits at Mohs 1-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow green.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: light green, dark green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: efflorescences.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Rossite

Mohs 2-3

How to tell apart: Luster reads dull on Pintadoite and vitreous to somewhat pearly on Rossite.

Often found alongside pintadoite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₂V₂O₇·9H₂O
Mohs hardness: 1-2
Density: 2.5 g/cm³
Colors: Light green Dark green
Streak: Yellow green
Luster: Dull
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Efflorescences
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: As an efflorescence on sandstone in protected outcrops

Where rockhounds find pintadoite

Classic worldwide localities

Canyon Pintado, San Juan Co., New Mexico, USA (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As an efflorescence on sandstone in protected outcrops. If you start seeing gypsum, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: efflorescences. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify pintadoite?+

Mohs hardness is 1-2. Luster: dull. The streak is yellow green. Common colors include light green, dark green.

Where is pintadoite found?+

Notable localities include Canyon Pintado, San Juan Co., New Mexico, USA (type locality).

Is pintadoite safe to handle?+

Pintadoite contains vanadium. Contains vanadium which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust; wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid creating dust.

What rocks look like pintadoite?+

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

What minerals are found with pintadoite?+

Pintadoite commonly co-occurs with Gypsum, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does pintadoite form in?+

Where it forms: As an efflorescence on sandstone in protected outcrops. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is pintadoite used for?+

Pintadoite is used in collector.

Find pintadoite on the map

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