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. Streak: yellow to white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: waxy, vitreous, greasy, may be dull, earthy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, gray, gray white, yellow brown, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: amorphous. Typical habit: massive, reniform.
Often confused with
Pitticite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pitticite leaves yellow to white, Scorodite leaves greenish white; luster reads waxy, vitreous, greasy, may be dull, earthy on Pitticite and vitreous to subadamantine, subresinous on Scorodite.
How to tell apart: Limonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5.5 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Pitticite leaves yellow to white, Limonite leaves yellowish-brown; luster reads waxy, vitreous, greasy, may be dull, earthy on Pitticite and submetallic to earthy on Limonite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pitticite leaves yellow to white, Jarosite leaves pale yellow; luster reads waxy, vitreous, greasy, may be dull, earthy on Pitticite and subadamantine to vitreous, resinous on fractures 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
- Yellow to white
- Luster
- Waxy, vitreous, greasy, may be dull, earthy
- Transparency
- Transparent to opaque
- Crystal system
- Amorphous
- Crystal habit
- Massive, reniform
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late secondary mineral typically formed by oxidation of earlier arsenic-bearing species; may be deposited from mine and spring waters
Where rockhounds find pitticite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tintic district, Juab Co., Utah, USA
- White Caps mine, Manhattan district, Nye Co., Nevada, USA
- Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
- Freiberg, Schneeberg, Schwarzenberg, Marienberg, Johanngeorgenstadt, Germany
- St. Andreasberg, Harz Mountains, Germany
- Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), at Příbram, and near Kaňk, Kutná Hora district, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late secondary mineral typically formed by oxidation of earlier arsenic-bearing species; may be deposited from mine and spring waters. If you start seeing haidingerite, pharmacolite, pharmacosiderite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, reniform. 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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