Duftite is a secondary mineral typically found as vibrant green botryoidal crusts in the oxidation zones of ore deposits. It is highly prized by collectors for its brilliant color, especially when associated with contrasting white mimetite crystals from the famous Tsumeb mine.
Is this duftite?
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 duftite with a known reference. Duftite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Duftite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Duftite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow-green, gray-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: botryoidal, crusts, earthy.
Often confused with
Duftite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Duftite leaves light green, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Duftite and adamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Duftite leaves light green, Olivenite leaves olive-green; luster reads vitreous on Duftite and adamantine on Olivenite.
How to tell apart: Conichalcite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3.5).
Often found alongside duftite
Minerals reported to co-occur with duftite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbCu(AsO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, Crusts, Earthy
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Lead-copper-arsenic Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen depending on quality and locality
Where rockhounds find duftite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Mapimi, Mexico
- Broken Hill, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal lead-copper-arsenic deposits country — that is the host setting where duftite typically forms. If you start seeing mimetite, cerussite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal, crusts, earthy habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find duftite on the map
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