Čechite is a rare lead-iron vanadate mineral typically occurring in the oxidized zones of lead-bearing hydrothermal deposits. It is best identified by its dark, often near-metallic appearance and its specific paragenesis with other vanadates like descloizite.
Is this čechite?
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 čechite with a known reference. Čechite sits at Mohs 4.5-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Čechite leaves a brownish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Čechite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular to equant crystals, often as crusts or massive aggregates.
Often confused with
Čechite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Čechite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3-3.5); streak differs — Čechite leaves brownish black, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red; luster reads submetallic on Čechite and greasy to adamantine on Descloizite.
How to tell apart: Čechite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3-3.5); streak differs — Čechite leaves brownish black, Mottramite leaves yellowish green; luster reads submetallic on Čechite and greasy on Mottramite.
Often found alongside čechite
Minerals reported to co-occur with čechite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbFe²⁺(VO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 5.71 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Equant Crystals, Often as Crusts or Massive Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Polymetallic Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find čechite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vrančice, Czech Republic
- Sierra Gorda, Chile
- Kabwe, Zambia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in polymetallic ore deposits country — that is the host setting where čechite typically forms. If you start seeing descloizite, galena, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to equant crystals, often as crusts or massive aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find čechite on the map
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