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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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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