Liskeardite is a rare secondary mineral found in the oxidized zones of arsenic-rich ore deposits. It typically presents as delicate, pearly-white or pale green platy crusts and radial aggregates, often requiring magnification for clear identification of its crystal habit.
Is this liskeardite?
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 liskeardite with a known reference. Liskeardite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Liskeardite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Liskeardite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, blue, green, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Liskeardite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside liskeardite
Minerals reported to co-occur with liskeardite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe³⁺₂AsO₄(OH)₃·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.32 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Arsenic-rich Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find liskeardite
Classic worldwide localities
- Liskeard, Cornwall, England
- Laurion, Greece
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal arsenic-rich deposits country — that is the host setting where liskeardite typically forms. If you start seeing arsenopyrite, limonite, pharmacosiderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find liskeardite on the map
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