Pitticite is an amorphous, arsenic-rich iron sulfate mineral typically found as botryoidal or reniform crusts in the oxidation zones of ore deposits. It is known for its distinct resinous luster and brownish-yellow coloration, often occurring alongside other arsenic minerals as a secondary alteration product.
Is this pitticite?
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 pitticite with a known reference. Pitticite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pitticite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pitticite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: botryoidal, reniform, crusts, massive.
Often confused with
Pitticite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pitticite leaves yellowish, Scorodite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Pitticite and vitreous to sub-adamantine on Scorodite.
How to tell apart: Limonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5.5 vs. 2-3); streak differs — Pitticite leaves yellowish, Limonite leaves yellowish-brown; luster reads resinous on Pitticite and submetallic to earthy on Limonite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pitticite leaves yellowish, Jarosite leaves yellow; luster reads resinous on Pitticite and vitreous on Jarosite.
Often found alongside pitticite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pitticite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe³⁺₂AsO₄(SO₄)(OH)·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.2-2.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, Reniform, Crusts, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Arsenic-rich Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-50 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find pitticite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
- Freiberg, Germany
- Cornwall, England
- Mapimi, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of arsenic-rich hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where pitticite typically forms. If you start seeing arsenopyrite, limonite, scorodite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal, reniform, crusts, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pitticite on the map
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