Lindackerite is a rare copper arsenic sulfate mineral that typically forms as delicate, emerald-green platy crystals or crusts. It is most often found in the oxidation zones of polymetallic mineral deposits, particularly those rich in arsenic. Collectors prize it for its vibrant color, though it is usually only found in microscopic or small crystalline aggregates.
Is this lindackerite?
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 lindackerite with a known reference. Lindackerite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale green to white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: greenish blue, light apple green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: lath, microscopic crystals, rosette.
Often confused with
Lindackerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Conichalcite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs, so Lindackerite leaves pale green to white, Conichalcite leaves green.
How to tell apart: Cornwallite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2-2.5).
Often found alongside lindackerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lindackerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₅(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₂(H₂O)₈·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 3.35 g/cm³
- Colors
- Greenish blueLight apple green
- Streak
- Pale green to white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Lath, microscopic crystals, rosette
- Cleavage
- {010}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the oxidized zone of some arsenic-rich copper deposits
Where rockhounds find lindackerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Geister and Červená veins, Eliáš mine, Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic
- Cap Garonne mine, near le Pradet, Var, and in the Salsigne mine, 15 km north of Carcassone, Aude, France
- Carmenes copper mine, Villamanin, Léon Province, Spain
- Found at the Talmessi mine, 35 km west of Anarak, Iran
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the oxidized zone of some arsenic-rich copper deposits. If you start seeing erythrite, pitticite, annabergite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: lath, microscopic crystals, rosette. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lindackerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
