Mückeite is an exceptionally rare sulfosalt mineral primarily identified from hydrothermal vein deposits. It typically occurs as minute, yellowish metallic grains intimately associated with other bismuth and nickel-bearing sulfides.
Is this mückeite?
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 mückeite with a known reference. Mückeite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Mückeite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Mückeite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Mückeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mückeite leaves yellow, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish-black.
How to tell apart: Ullmannite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 3-4); streak differs, so Mückeite leaves yellow, Ullmannite leaves black.
Often found alongside mückeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mückeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuNiBiS₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.86 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to Subhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- n/a - highly rare for specialized collectors
Where rockhounds find mückeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wolfsberg, Harz Mountains, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where mückeite typically forms. If you start seeing bismuthinite, chalcopyrite, ullmannite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to subhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find mückeite on the map
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