Arsenbrackebuschite is a rare secondary mineral found in the oxidized zones of lead-arsenic mineral deposits. It typically forms as small, tabular or prismatic yellow-brown crystals and is prized by collectors of rare arsenate species.
Is this arsenbrackebuschite?
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 arsenbrackebuschite with a known reference. Arsenbrackebuschite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale brownish.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: honey yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Arsenbrackebuschite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Arsenbrackebuschite leaves pale brownish, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish red; luster reads resinous to adamantine on Arsenbrackebuschite and greasy on Descloizite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Arsenbrackebuschite leaves pale brownish, Austinite leaves white; luster reads resinous to adamantine on Arsenbrackebuschite and subadamantine to silky in aggregates on Austinite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Arsenbrackebuschite leaves pale brownish, Conichalcite leaves green; luster reads resinous to adamantine on Arsenbrackebuschite and vitreous to somewhat greasy on Conichalcite.
Often found alongside arsenbrackebuschite
Minerals reported to co-occur with arsenbrackebuschite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Fe³⁺(AsO₄)₂(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 6.54 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale brownish
- Luster
- Resinous to adamantine
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to prismatic crystals, crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In fissures in dolomite breccia in the oxidized zone of a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit (Tsumeb, Namibia); in a hydrothermal polymetallic barite–fluorite deposit (Clara mine, Germany)
Where rockhounds find arsenbrackebuschite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hornet mine, Hachita, Grant Co., New Mexico, USA
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Clara mine, near Oberwolfach, Black Forest, Germany
- Brixlegg, Tirol, Austria
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In fissures in dolomite breccia in the oxidized zone of a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit (Tsumeb, Namibia); in a hydrothermal polymetallic barite–fluorite deposit (Clara mine, Germany). If you start seeing beudantite, anglesite, mimetite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify arsenbrackebuschite?+
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Find arsenbrackebuschite on the map
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