Freedite is an extremely rare lead-copper arsenate mineral known primarily from the Långban mine in Sweden. It typically forms thin, orange-yellow tabular crystals or crystalline crusts within manganese-rich metamorphic deposits.
Is this freedite?
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 freedite with a known reference. Freedite 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. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: greasy to vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: greenish yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, radial.
Often confused with
Freedite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Freedite leaves yellow, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads greasy to vitreous on Freedite and resinous to subadamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Freedite leaves yellow, Finnemanite leaves white; luster reads greasy to vitreous on Freedite and subadamantine on Finnemanite.
Often found alongside freedite
Minerals reported to co-occur with freedite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuPb₈(AsO₃)₂O₃Cl₅
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 7.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Greasy to vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, radial
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An uncommon mineral in andradite–magnetite ore from a metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebody
Where rockhounds find freedite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An uncommon mineral in andradite–magnetite ore from a metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebody. If you start seeing ecdemite, lead, copper in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify freedite?+
Where is freedite found?+
Is freedite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like freedite?+
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Find freedite on the map
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