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 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular, striated, wedge shaped.
Often confused with
Brackebuschite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Brackebuschite leaves yellow, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish red; luster reads submetallic on Brackebuschite and greasy on Descloizite.
How to tell apart: Brackebuschite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Brackebuschite leaves yellow, Vanadinite leaves white to pale red or pale yellow; luster reads submetallic on Brackebuschite and subresinous to subadamantine on Vanadinite.
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
- Pb₂Mn(VO₄)₂(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 6.05 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Translucent to nearly opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, striated, wedge shaped
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal Pb–Zn deposits
Where rockhounds find brackebuschite
Classic worldwide localities
- A prospect in the Swisshelm district, Swisshelm Mountains, Cochise Co., and at the Palmetto mine, Santa Cruz Co., Arizona, USA
- Hack claim, Paradox Valley, Montrose Co., Colorado, USA
- Found in the Venus, Agua del Rubio, Bienvenida, Pilar, and Algarrobites mines, El Guaico district, Córdoba Province, Argentina
- Kusu vanadium deposit, 85 km southwest of Kinshasa, Bas-Congo Province, Congo (Bas-Zaire Province, Zaire)
- Mounana uranium mine, Franceville, Gabon
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal Pb–Zn deposits. If you start seeing descloizite, vanadinite, wulfenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, striated, wedge shaped. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify brackebuschite?+
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Is brackebuschite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like brackebuschite?+
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Find brackebuschite on the map
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