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 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellowish.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular, lamellar.
Often confused with
Bushmakinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Bushmakinite leaves yellowish, Pyromorphite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Bushmakinite and resinous to subadamantine on Pyromorphite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Bushmakinite leaves yellowish, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Bushmakinite and resinous to subadamantine on Mimetite.
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
- Pb₂Al(PO₄)(VO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 6.13 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, lamellar
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}; distinct on {hk0}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidation of galena and tetrahedrite in a quartz vein. (brackebuschite group; structure)
Where rockhounds find bushmakinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Berezovskoye gold deposit, middle Ural Mountains, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Oxidation of galena and tetrahedrite in a quartz vein. (brackebuschite group; structure). If you start seeing pyromorphite, mimetite, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, lamellar. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bushmakinite on the map
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