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, so 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, so 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, 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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