Bushmakinite is a rare lead-copper phosphate mineral that typically forms as a secondary mineral in oxidized ore zones. Collectors should look for its distinctive bright yellow, platy crystals occurring in association with other lead minerals in oxidized hydrothermal vein deposits.
Is this bushmakinite?
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 bushmakinite with a known reference. Bushmakinite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bushmakinite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bushmakinite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow, olive-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, aggregates.
Often confused with
Bushmakinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Bushmakinite leaves yellowish, Pyromorphite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Bushmakinite and resinous on Pyromorphite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Bushmakinite leaves yellowish, Mimetite leaves white.
Often found alongside bushmakinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bushmakinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Cu(PO₄)(OH)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.9-5.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Lead-zinc-copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality
Where rockhounds find bushmakinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Berezovskoe deposit, Russia
- Reaphook Hill, Australia
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized lead-zinc-copper deposits country — that is the host setting where bushmakinite typically forms. If you start seeing pyromorphite, mimetite, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bushmakinite?+
Where is bushmakinite found?+
How much is bushmakinite worth?+
Is bushmakinite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like bushmakinite?+
What minerals are found with bushmakinite?+
What kind of rock does bushmakinite form in?+
What is bushmakinite used for?+
Find bushmakinite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
