Mushistonite is a rare copper-zinc-tin hydroxide mineral found primarily in its type locality in Tajikistan. It typically occurs as dense, massive to granular aggregates within tin-bearing hydrothermal vein systems.
Is this mushistonite?
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 mushistonite with a known reference. Mushistonite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Mushistonite leaves a pale greenish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Mushistonite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellowish-green, olive-green, brownish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: granular, massive.
Often confused with
Mushistonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Mushistonite leaves pale greenish, Stannite leaves black; luster reads submetallic on Mushistonite and metallic on Stannite.
How to tell apart: Cassiterite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs — Mushistonite leaves pale greenish, Cassiterite leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Mushistonite and adamantine on Cassiterite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Mushistonite leaves pale greenish, Varlamoffite leaves yellowish; luster reads submetallic on Mushistonite and dull on Varlamoffite.
Often found alongside mushistonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mushistonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Cu,Zn,Fe)Sn(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.26 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Greenish
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Tin Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find mushistonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mushiston deposit, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal tin deposits country — that is the host setting where mushistonite typically forms. If you start seeing cassiterite, stannite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify mushistonite?+
Where is mushistonite found?+
How much is mushistonite worth?+
Is mushistonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like mushistonite?+
What minerals are found with mushistonite?+
What kind of rock does mushistonite form in?+
What is mushistonite used for?+
Find mushistonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
