Pliniusite is a rare calcium vanadate mineral originally discovered in the volcanic fumaroles of Vesuvius. It typically occurs as minute, thin tabular crystals that exhibit a distinct vitreous luster and are colorless to whitish to brownish hues. Collectors primarily seek it as an extreme rarity from historical volcanic localities.
Is this pliniusite?
4-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 pliniusite with a known reference. Pliniusite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, whitish.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Pliniusite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₅(VO₄)₃F
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- ColorlessWhitish
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- volcanic fumaroles
Where rockhounds find pliniusite
Classic worldwide localities
- Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: volcanic fumaroles. If you start seeing tolbachik volcano, kamchatka peninsula, far-eastern region in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pliniusite?+
Where is pliniusite found?+
Is pliniusite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like pliniusite?+
What minerals are found with pliniusite?+
What kind of rock does pliniusite form in?+
What is pliniusite used for?+
Find pliniusite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
