Panguite is a rare titanium-rich mineral discovered as microscopic grains within the Allende meteorite. It is significant to mineralogists as one of the oldest minerals in the solar system, forming in the early stages of the solar nebula.
Often confused with
Panguite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside panguite
Minerals reported to co-occur with panguite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ti,Al,Sc,Mg,Zr,Ca)₁.₈O₃
- Density
- 3.746 g/cm³
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Sub-micrometric grains
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In an ultra-refractory inclusion within an amoeboid olivine inclusion from the Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrite meteorite, likely formed by condensation and among the oldest solid materials in the solar system
Where rockhounds find panguite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allende meteorite (Mexico)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In an ultra-refractory inclusion within an amoeboid olivine inclusion from the Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrite meteorite, likely formed by condensation and among the oldest solid materials in the solar system. If you start seeing ti-rich davisite, sc-ti-rich diopside, olivine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: sub-micrometric grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.



