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, so 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, so Mushistonite leaves pale greenish, Cassiterite leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Mushistonite and adamantine on Cassiterite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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
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Find mushistonite on the map
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