Helmutwinklerite is a rare secondary arsenate mineral discovered primarily in the oxidation zones of the Tsumeb Mine. It typically occurs as delicate, colorless to light blue drusy coatings or tiny crystalline aggregates often found associated with other rare zinc-lead minerals.
Is this helmutwinklerite?
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 helmutwinklerite with a known reference. Helmutwinklerite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, resinous on fracture surfaces.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, sky blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: drusy, crusts, minute crystals.
Often confused with
Helmutwinklerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside helmutwinklerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with helmutwinklerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbZn₂(AsO₄)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 5.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, resinous on fracture surfaces
- Transparency
- Translucent to transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Drusy, crusts, minute crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A very rare secondary mineral in corroded tennantite ore from a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit
Where rockhounds find helmutwinklerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Found at Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A very rare secondary mineral in corroded tennantite ore from a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit. If you start seeing tennantite, willemite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: drusy, crusts, minute crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify helmutwinklerite?+
Where is helmutwinklerite found?+
Is helmutwinklerite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like helmutwinklerite?+
What minerals are found with helmutwinklerite?+
What kind of rock does helmutwinklerite form in?+
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Find helmutwinklerite on the map
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