Fuettererite is a rare lead-copper tellurite mineral discovered in the oxidized zones of Mexican ore deposits. It typically forms as delicate, pale green to yellow-green tabular crystals and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors for its chemical complexity and scarcity.
Is this fuettererite?
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 fuettererite with a known reference. Fuettererite 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. Fuettererite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fuettererite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale green, yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates.
Often confused with
Fuettererite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Emmonsite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3); streak differs — Fuettererite leaves white, Emmonsite leaves pale yellow; luster reads adamantine on Fuettererite and vitreous on Emmonsite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Fuettererite leaves white, Quetzalcoatlite leaves yellow; luster reads adamantine on Fuettererite and vitreous on Quetzalcoatlite.
Often found alongside fuettererite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fuettererite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃Cu₂(TeO₆)Cl₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 6.64 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Subparallel Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Tellurium-rich Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $200-1500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find fuettererite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bambollita mine, Sonora, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal tellurium-rich ore deposits country — that is the host setting where fuettererite typically forms. If you start seeing bambollite, emmonsite, jarosite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find fuettererite on the map
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