Chudobaite is a rare arsenate mineral characterized by its delicate, tabular crystal habit and soft pale coloration. It is primarily found in the secondary oxidation zones of complex arsenic-rich ore deposits, most notably the Tsumeb Mine. Due to its fragility and rarity, it is highly sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors.
Is this chudobaite?
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 chudobaite with a known reference. Chudobaite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chudobaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chudobaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pinkish-white, pale pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed to tabular crystals, often in radiating clusters or crusts.
Often confused with
Chudobaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chudobaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chudobaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Zn)₅(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₂·10H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.16 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed to Tabular Crystals, Often in Radiating Clusters or Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Hydrothermal Polymetallic Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on crystal quality and matrix
Where rockhounds find chudobaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
- Ojuela Mine, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of hydrothermal polymetallic deposits country, the host setting where chudobaite typically forms. If you start seeing tsumcorite, konichalcite, adamite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed to tabular crystals, often in radiating clusters or crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chudobaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
