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, so Bouškaite leaves pale yellow, Jarosite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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