Pautovite is an exceptionally rare cesium iron sulfide mineral found primarily in alkaline pegmatites. It typically occurs as small, tabular trigonal crystals that are dark steel-gray.
Is this pautovite?
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 pautovite with a known reference. Pautovite 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. Pautovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pautovite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark steel-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. 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
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find pautovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Palitra peralkaline pegmatite, Lovozero, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites country, 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?+
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What rocks look like pautovite?+
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Find pautovite on the map
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