Malyshevite is a rare secondary mineral found in the oxidation zones of arsenic-rich lead deposits. It typically forms as thin crusts or small aggregates that require magnification to identify clearly, often appearing in association with other lead-bearing secondary minerals.
Is this malyshevite?
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 malyshevite with a known reference. Malyshevite 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. Malyshevite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Malyshevite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellowish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: microcrystalline aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Malyshevite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Malyshevite leaves yellowish, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red; luster reads resinous on Malyshevite and greasy to adamantine on Descloizite.
How to tell apart: Conichalcite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Malyshevite leaves yellowish, Conichalcite leaves light green; luster reads resinous on Malyshevite and vitreous on Conichalcite.
Often found alongside malyshevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with malyshevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbCu(AsO₃OH)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.08 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Microcrystalline Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Zones
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find malyshevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Malyshevskoye deposit, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal zones country — that is the host setting where malyshevite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, goethite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microcrystalline aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find malyshevite on the map
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