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.
Is this andychristyite?
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 andychristyite with a known reference. Andychristyite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Andychristyite leaves a pale yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Andychristyite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Andychristyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Mcalpineite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Andychristyite leaves pale yellow, Mcalpineite leaves light green; luster reads adamantine on Andychristyite and vitreous on Mcalpineite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Andychristyite leaves pale yellow, Denningite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Andychristyite and vitreous on Denningite.
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
- PbCuTeO₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 5.53 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-rich Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $200-1000+ for rare micro-specimens
Where rockhounds find andychristyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Centennial Eureka mine, Tintic District, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-rich ore deposits country — that is the host setting where andychristyite typically forms. If you start seeing mcalpineite, tellurite, quetzalcoatlite 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
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Find andychristyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
