Heyite is a very rare lead chromate-vanadate mineral typically found in oxidized zones of lead-rich hydrothermal deposits. It is best identified by its vibrant yellow, tabular, or acicular crystal habit and association with other lead minerals like crocoite.
Is this heyite?
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 heyite with a known reference. Heyite 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. Heyite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Heyite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular to acicular crystals, often as radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Heyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Heyite leaves yellow, Crocoite leaves orange-yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Heyite leaves yellow, Vauquelinite leaves greenish-yellow; luster reads adamantine on Heyite and resinous to adamantine on Vauquelinite.
Often found alongside heyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with heyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₅(CrO₄)₂(VO₄)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 6.02 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Acicular Crystals, Often as Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Lead-vanadium Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find heyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Red Lead mine, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized lead-vanadium ore deposits country — that is the host setting where heyite typically forms. If you start seeing crocoite, vauquelinite, wulfenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to acicular crystals, often as radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find heyite on the map
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