Bukovskýite is a rare secondary iron arsenate sulfate typically found as yellowish-green crusts or earthy masses in the oxidized zones of arsenic-rich ore deposits. It is specifically recognized for its occurrence in historic mining districts in the Czech Republic, where it forms through the weathering of arsenopyrite.
Is this bukovskýite?
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 bukovskýite with a known reference. Bukovskýite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale yellowish.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to dull.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light yellow, orange, greenish gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: acicular, fibrous, nodular.
Often confused with
Bukovskýite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Bukovskýite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Bukovskýite leaves pale yellowish, Pharmacosiderite leaves yellowish green; luster reads vitreous to dull on Bukovskýite and adamantine to greasy on Pharmacosiderite.
How to tell apart: Bukovskýite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Bukovskýite leaves pale yellowish, Scorodite leaves greenish white.
How to tell apart: Bukovskýite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Bukovskýite leaves pale yellowish, Pitticite leaves yellow to white; luster reads vitreous to dull on Bukovskýite and waxy, vitreous, greasy, may be dull, earthy on Pitticite.
Often found alongside bukovskýite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bukovskýite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₂³⁺(AsO₄)(SO₄)(OH)·7H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.334 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale yellowish
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, fibrous, nodular
- Cleavage
- On {010}, imperfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A post-mining surficial weathering product of Fe–As sulfides
Where rockhounds find bukovskýite
Classic worldwide localities
- Found in dumps of the Kuntery and other mines, Kaňk, 2.5 km north of Kutná Hora, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A post-mining surficial weathering product of Fe–As sulfides. If you start seeing arsenopyrite, pyrite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, fibrous, nodular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bukovskýite on the map
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