Lotharmeyerite is a rare secondary mineral typically found in oxidized zones of arsenic-rich base metal deposits. It often forms vibrant orange to yellow bladed crystals or crusts that contrast beautifully against host rocks like smithsonite or limonite.
Is this lotharmeyerite?
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 lotharmeyerite with a known reference. Lotharmeyerite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lotharmeyerite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lotharmeyerite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange, reddish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Lotharmeyerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Tsumcorite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Lotharmeyerite leaves yellow, Tsumcorite leaves yellowish.
How to tell apart: Lotharmeyerite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous on Lotharmeyerite and pearly on Reevesite.
How to tell apart: Conichalcite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Lotharmeyerite leaves yellow, Conichalcite leaves light green.
Often found alongside lotharmeyerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lotharmeyerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaZnMn³⁺(AsO₄)₂(OH)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.49 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals, Crusts, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Lead-zinc Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on crystal quality
Where rockhounds find lotharmeyerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mapimi, Mexico
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Sterling Hill, New Jersey
- Laurion, Greece
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal lead-zinc deposits country — that is the host setting where lotharmeyerite typically forms. If you start seeing smithsonite, adamite, hemimorphite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, crusts, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lotharmeyerite on the map
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