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, so Getchellite leaves reddish-orange, Realgar leaves orange-red; luster reads adamantine on Getchellite and resinous on Realgar.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Getchellite leaves reddish-orange, Orpiment leaves yellow; luster reads adamantine on Getchellite and resinous on Orpiment.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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
How do you identify getchellite?+
Where is getchellite found?+
How much is getchellite worth?+
Is getchellite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like getchellite?+
What minerals are found with getchellite?+
What kind of rock does getchellite form in?+
What is getchellite used for?+
Find getchellite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
