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 resinous luster and warm yellow to brownish hues. Collectors primarily seek it as an extreme rarity from historical volcanic localities.
Is this pliniusite?
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 pliniusite with a known reference. Pliniusite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pliniusite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pliniusite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Pliniusite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pliniusite leaves yellow, Vanadinite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pliniusite leaves yellow, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red; luster reads resinous on Pliniusite and greasy to adamantine on Descloizite.
Often found alongside pliniusite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pliniusite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaV₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Volcanic Fumaroles
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find pliniusite
Classic worldwide localities
- Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic fumaroles country — that is the host setting where pliniusite typically forms. If you start seeing pyroxene, feldspar 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 pliniusite?+
Where is pliniusite found?+
How much is pliniusite worth?+
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.
