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, so Ferribushmakinite leaves yellow, Bushmakinite leaves yellowish.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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
How do you identify ferribushmakinite?+
Where is ferribushmakinite found?+
How much is ferribushmakinite worth?+
Is ferribushmakinite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like ferribushmakinite?+
What minerals are found with ferribushmakinite?+
What kind of rock does ferribushmakinite form in?+
What is ferribushmakinite used for?+
Find ferribushmakinite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
