Jamesite is a rare secondary mineral typically occurring as delicate, acicular, or lath-like crystals in the oxidized zones of copper-lead deposits. It is most famous from the Tsumeb Mine in Namibia, often appearing as distinct, brightly colored, radiated sprays. Collectors prize it for its unique chemistry and association with other rare secondary arsenate minerals.
Is this jamesite?
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 jamesite with a known reference. Jamesite 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. Jamesite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Jamesite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, radiated aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Jamesite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside jamesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jamesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Cu(AsO₄)(SO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 5.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Radiated Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Hydrothermal Polymetallic Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find jamesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposits country — that is the host setting where jamesite typically forms. If you start seeing duftite, tennantite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, radiated aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find jamesite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
