Brackebuschite is a rare lead-manganese vanadate mineral typically found as dark, resinous prismatic crystals in oxidized ore zones. It is most recognized for its association with other secondary vanadium minerals and requires careful handling due to its lead content.
Is this brackebuschite?
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 brackebuschite with a known reference. Brackebuschite 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. Brackebuschite leaves a yellowish brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Brackebuschite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Brackebuschite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Brackebuschite leaves yellowish brown, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red; luster reads resinous on Brackebuschite and greasy to adamantine on Descloizite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Brackebuschite leaves yellowish brown, Vanadinite leaves white.
Often found alongside brackebuschite
Minerals reported to co-occur with brackebuschite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂(Mn,Fe)(VO₄)₂(OH,H₂O)
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.08 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish Brown
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Lead-vanadium Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality and locality
Where rockhounds find brackebuschite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cordoba, Argentina
- Black Forest, Germany
- Karakorum Range, Pakistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of lead-vanadium ore deposits country — that is the host setting where brackebuschite typically forms. If you start seeing descloizite, vanadinite, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find brackebuschite on the map
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