Niedermayrite is a rare secondary copper-cadmium sulfate mineral typically found as small, orange, tabular crystals in oxidized base-metal deposits. It is most famous for its occurrences in the historic mining district of Lavrion, Greece, where it forms in association with other rare secondary minerals.
Is this niedermayrite?
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 niedermayrite with a known reference. Niedermayrite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Niedermayrite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Niedermayrite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, yellow-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Niedermayrite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Niedermayrite leaves yellowish, Serpierite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Niedermayrite and pearly on Serpierite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Niedermayrite leaves yellowish, Devilline leaves pale blue.
Often found alongside niedermayrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with niedermayrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄Cd(SO₄)₂(OH)₆·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Lead-zinc-silver Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find niedermayrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lavrion District (Greece)
- Kamareza Mine (Greece)
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal lead-zinc-silver deposits country — that is the host setting where niedermayrite typically forms. If you start seeing serpierite, brochantite, smithsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify niedermayrite?+
Where is niedermayrite found?+
How much is niedermayrite worth?+
Is niedermayrite safe to handle?+
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Find niedermayrite on the map
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