Lucabindiite is a very rare arsenic-bearing mineral found primarily in the fumaroles of the La Fossa crater in Italy. It typically occurs as tiny, tabular, colorless to white crystals or crusts deposited by volcanic gases and is prized by advanced mineral collectors.

Hardness

1.5-2

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Lucabindiite

Hardness: 1.5-2
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this lucabindiite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch lucabindiite with a known reference. Lucabindiite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts.

Often confused with

Lucabindiite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside lucabindiite

Minerals reported to co-occur with lucabindiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: K(As₂O₃)₂Cl
Mohs hardness: 1.5-2
Density: 3.68 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, crusts
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: As encrustations on pyroclastic breccia around an active volcanic fumarole

Where rockhounds find lucabindiite

Classic worldwide localities

La Fossa crater, Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As encrustations on pyroclastic breccia around an active volcanic fumarole. If you start seeing arsenolite, sal ammoniac, sulfur in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify lucabindiite?+

Mohs hardness is 1.5-2. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is lucabindiite found?+

Notable localities include La Fossa crater, Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy.

Is lucabindiite safe to handle?+

Lucabindiite contains arsenic and calls for real care. Contains arsenic, which is toxic. Handle with caution, avoid inhaling dust, and wash hands thoroughly after handling.

What rocks look like lucabindiite?+

Lucabindiite is most often confused with Arsenolite, Claudetite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with lucabindiite?+

Lucabindiite commonly co-occurs with Arsenolite, Sal ammoniac, Sulfur, Amorphous arsenic-rich sulfurite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does lucabindiite form in?+

Where it forms: As encrustations on pyroclastic breccia around an active volcanic fumarole. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is lucabindiite used for?+

Lucabindiite is used in collector.

Find lucabindiite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.