Bideauxite is an extremely rare lead-silver halide mineral found in the oxidized zones of certain ore deposits. It typically occurs as small, sharp octahedral or cubic crystals that exhibit a distinct adamantine luster.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Adamantine

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Bideauxite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this bideauxite?

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 bideauxite with a known reference. Bideauxite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bideauxite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Bideauxite typically shows a adamantine luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: small octahedral to cubic crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside bideauxite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Pb₂₄Ag₉Cl₂₂(OH)₁₆F₈
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 5.71 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Adamantine
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Small Octahedral to Cubic Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Oxidized Lead-silver Ore Deposits
Typical price: $100-500 for high-quality micro-specimens

Where rockhounds find bideauxite

Classic worldwide localities

Bideaux Mine, Arizona, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in oxidized lead-silver ore deposits country — that is the host setting where bideauxite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, anglesite, wulfenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a small octahedral to cubic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify bideauxite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a adamantine luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, yellow.

Where is bideauxite found?+

Notable localities include Bideaux Mine, Arizona, USA.

How much is bideauxite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 for high-quality micro-specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is bideauxite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains lead, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like bideauxite?+

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

What minerals are found with bideauxite?+

Bideauxite commonly co-occurs with Cerussite, Anglesite, Wulfenite, Fluorite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bideauxite form in?+

Bideauxite typically forms in oxidized lead-silver ore deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bideauxite used for?+

Bideauxite is used in collector.

Find bideauxite on the map

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