Getchellite is a rare arsenic-antimony sulfide mineral typically found in epithermal gold deposits. It is most easily identified by its distinctive dark red to orange-red color, adamantine luster, and association with other arsenic-bearing minerals like realgar.
Is this getchellite?
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 getchellite with a known reference. Getchellite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Getchellite leaves a reddish-orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Getchellite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red, orange-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Getchellite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Getchellite leaves reddish-orange, Realgar leaves orange-red; luster reads adamantine on Getchellite and resinous on Realgar.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Getchellite leaves reddish-orange, Orpiment leaves yellow; luster reads adamantine on Getchellite and resinous on Orpiment.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Getchellite leaves reddish-orange, Cinnabar leaves scarlet.
Often found alongside getchellite
Minerals reported to co-occur with getchellite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AsSbS₃
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 3.84 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Reddish-orange
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Gold Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality and rarity
Where rockhounds find getchellite
Classic worldwide localities
- Getchell Mine, Nevada, USA
- Allchar, North Macedonia
- Jas Roux, France
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal gold deposits country — that is the host setting where getchellite typically forms. If you start seeing realgar, orpiment, stibnite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find getchellite on the map
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