Bouškaite is a rare iron sulfate mineral that typically forms as delicate, acicular, or prismatic crystals. It is primarily found as a secondary mineral in oxidized pyrite-bearing ore deposits and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors for its rarity and distinct crystalline form.
Is this bouškaite?
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 bouškaite with a known reference. Bouškaite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bouškaite leaves a pale yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bouškaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, radiating sprays.
Often confused with
Bouškaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Bouškaite leaves pale yellow, Jarosite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Bouškaite leaves pale yellow, Copiapite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Bouškaite and pearly on Copiapite.
Often found alongside bouškaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bouškaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe³⁺₂(SO₄)₂(OH)₂·11H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Radiating Sprays
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Pyrite Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find bouškaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Czech Republic
- Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal pyrite deposits country — that is the host setting where bouškaite typically forms. If you start seeing jarosite, gypsum, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, radiating sprays habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bouškaite on the map
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