Betpakdalite-CaMg is a rare secondary mineral found in the oxidation zones of molybdenum-bearing deposits. It typically forms as bright yellow earthy crusts or thin platy crystal aggregates associated with other oxidation products like scorodite.
Is this betpakdalite-camg?
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 betpakdalite-camg with a known reference. Betpakdalite-CaMg 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. Streak: colorless to very pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to subadamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, powdery coatings, microcrystalline aggregates.
Often confused with
Betpakdalite-CaMg vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Betpakdalite-CaMg is noticeably harder (Mohs ~3.5 vs. 1-2); streak differs, so Betpakdalite-CaMg leaves colorless to very pale yellow, Ferrimolybdite leaves pale yellow; luster reads vitreous to subadamantine on Betpakdalite-CaMg and adamantine to silky, earthy on Ferrimolybdite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Betpakdalite-CaMg leaves colorless to very pale yellow, Powellite leaves light yellow; luster reads vitreous to subadamantine on Betpakdalite-CaMg and subadamantine, resinous, pearly on Powellite.
Often found alongside betpakdalite-camg
Minerals reported to co-occur with betpakdalite-camg. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- [Ca₂(H₂O)₁₇Mg(H₂O)₆][Mo₈As₂Fe₃O₃₆(OH)]
- Mohs hardness
- ~3.5
- Density
- 2.98 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Colorless to very pale yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous to subadamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, powdery coatings, microcrystalline aggregates
- Cleavage
- {001}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a deep oxidation zone of a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit, formed by alteration of As, Fe and Mo sulfides by solutions rich in Ca and Mg (Tsumeb, Namibia)
Where rockhounds find betpakdalite-camg
Classic worldwide localities
- Kounrad, Kazakhstan
- Gold Hill, Utah, USA
- Mibladen, Morocco
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a deep oxidation zone of a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit, formed by alteration of As, Fe and Mo sulfides by solutions rich in Ca and Mg (Tsumeb, Namibia). If you start seeing scorodite, djurleite, powellite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, powdery coatings, microcrystalline aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify betpakdalite-camg?+
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Find betpakdalite-camg on the map
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