Ferribushmakinite is a rare lead-copper-iron phosphate mineral belonging to the bushmakinite group. It typically occurs as small, yellow to yellow-green platy crystals within the oxidized zones of lead-bearing hydrothermal deposits.
Is this ferribushmakinite?
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 ferribushmakinite with a known reference. Ferribushmakinite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ferribushmakinite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ferribushmakinite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Ferribushmakinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Ferribushmakinite leaves yellow, Bushmakinite leaves yellowish.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Ferribushmakinite leaves yellow, Vauquelinite leaves greenish-yellow; luster reads adamantine on Ferribushmakinite and resinous to adamantine on Vauquelinite.
Often found alongside ferribushmakinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ferribushmakinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbCuFe(PO₄)(OH,O)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 5.32 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 for small thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find ferribushmakinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Berezovskoe deposit, Ural Mountains, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where ferribushmakinite typically forms. If you start seeing pyromorphite, cerussite, limonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ferribushmakinite on the map
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