Andychristyite is an extremely rare lead-copper tellurite mineral discovered in the Tintic District of Utah. It typically appears as tiny, yellow, tabular crystals formed in the oxidation zones of tellurium-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits.

Hardness

~2-3

Mohs

Luster

Adamantine

Streak

Very pale bluish green

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Andychristyite

Hardness: ~2-3
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: Very pale bluish green
Transparency: Transparent

Is this andychristyite?

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 andychristyite with a known reference. Andychristyite sits at Mohs ~2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: very pale bluish green.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bluish green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Mcalpineite

Mohs 3

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Andychristyite leaves very pale bluish green, Mcalpineite leaves paler green.

How to tell apart: Denningite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4 vs. ~2-3); streak differs, so Andychristyite leaves very pale bluish green, Denningite leaves white.

Compare →

Often found alongside andychristyite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: PbCuTeO₅(H₂O)
Mohs hardness: ~2-3
Density: 6.304 g/cm³
Colors: Bluish green
Streak: Very pale bluish green
Luster: Adamantine
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals
Cleavage: Perfect on {001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A secondary oxidation-zone mineral presumed to have formed by oxidation of primary sulfides and tellurides

Where rockhounds find andychristyite

Classic worldwide localities

Centennial Eureka mine, Tintic District, Utah, USA

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A secondary oxidation-zone mineral presumed to have formed by oxidation of primary sulfides and tellurides. If you start seeing quartz, timroseite 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 andychristyite?+

Mohs hardness is ~2-3. Luster: adamantine. The streak is very pale bluish green. Common colors include bluish green.

Where is andychristyite found?+

Notable localities include Centennial Eureka mine, Tintic District, Utah, USA.

Is andychristyite safe to handle?+

Andychristyite contains copper and lead. Contains lead and tellurium; handle with caution, avoid inhaling dust, and wash hands thoroughly after contact.

What rocks look like andychristyite?+

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

What minerals are found with andychristyite?+

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

What kind of rock does andychristyite form in?+

Where it forms: A secondary oxidation-zone mineral presumed to have formed by oxidation of primary sulfides and tellurides. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is andychristyite used for?+

Andychristyite is used in collector.

Find andychristyite on the map

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