Arsentsumebite is a rare secondary mineral found in the oxidation zones of lead-zinc deposits. It typically forms attractive green crusts or small crystal aggregates and is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors for its association with the iconic Tsumeb mine specimens.
Is this arsentsumebite?
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 arsentsumebite with a known reference. Arsentsumebite 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: light green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow green, emerald green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crusts, botryoidal, aggregates of tiny crystals.
Often confused with
Arsentsumebite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Arsentsumebite leaves light green, Duftite leaves pale green to white; luster reads vitreous on Arsentsumebite and dull to vitreous on fractures on Duftite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Arsentsumebite leaves light green, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Arsentsumebite and resinous to subadamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Arsentsumebite leaves light green, Conichalcite leaves green.
Often found alongside arsentsumebite
Minerals reported to co-occur with arsentsumebite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Cu(AsO₄)(SO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 6.46 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, botryoidal, aggregates of tiny crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare mineral 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 arsentsumebite
Classic worldwide localities
- Buckhorn mine, Red Cloud district, Lincoln Co., New Mexico, USA
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Clara mine, near Oberwolfach, Black Forest, Germany
- Moldava, 20 km northwest of Teplice, Czech Republic
- Anticline prospect, 11 km west-southwest of Ashburton Downs homestead, Capricorn Range, Western Australia, and at Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare mineral 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 malachite, cerussite, azurite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crusts, botryoidal, aggregates of tiny crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify arsentsumebite?+
Where is arsentsumebite found?+
Is arsentsumebite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like arsentsumebite?+
What minerals are found with arsentsumebite?+
What kind of rock does arsentsumebite form in?+
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Find arsentsumebite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
