Fluckite is a rare calcium manganese arsenate mineral that typically forms delicate, needle-like white or pinkish crystals. It is primarily sought after by advanced collectors for its aesthetic crystal clusters found in historic mining districts in Europe. Due to its arsenic content, it should be handled and stored with appropriate safety precautions.
Is this fluckite?
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 fluckite with a known reference. Fluckite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fluckite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fluckite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: acicular to prismatic crystals, often as radial sprays or crusts.
Often confused with
Fluckite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside fluckite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fluckite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMn₂H₂(AsO₄)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.95 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular to Prismatic Crystals, Often as Radial Sprays or Crusts
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find fluckite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, France
- Jachymov, Czech Republic
- Schneeberg, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where fluckite typically forms. If you start seeing picropharmacolite, pharmacolite, arsenopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular to prismatic crystals, often as radial sprays or crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fluckite?+
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Find fluckite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
