Pucherite is a rare bismuth vanadate mineral typically found in the oxidation zones of hydrothermal bismuth-bearing veins. Collectors prize its vibrant reddish-orange color and adamantine luster, though it is usually found as small, thin tabular or needle-like crystals.
Is this pucherite?
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 pucherite with a known reference. Pucherite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow brown, dark brown red, pink brown, reddish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular, pulverulent, tabular.
Often confused with
Pucherite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pucherite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2.75-3); streak differs, so Pucherite leaves yellow, Wulfenite leaves white; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Pucherite and resinous, subadamantine to adamantine on Wulfenite.
How to tell apart: Pucherite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Pucherite leaves yellow, Crocoite leaves yellow-orange; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Pucherite and adamantine on Crocoite.
Often found alongside pucherite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pucherite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BiVO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 6.25 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous to adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent to opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, pulverulent, tabular
- Cleavage
- On {001}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare alteration product of other bismuth minerals in the oxidized zone of some hydrothermal ore deposits; in zoned granite pegmatites
Where rockhounds find pucherite
Classic worldwide localities
- Harding mine, Taos Co., New Mexico, USA
- Stewart, Pala Chief, and other mines, Pala district, and in the Little Three mine, Ramona district, San Diego Co., California, USA
- Pucher shaft, Wolfgang Maassen mine, near Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany
- Reichenbach, near Bensheim, Hesse, Germany
- Clara Mine, near Oberwolfach, Black Forest, Germany
- Mt. Bity, at Samiresy, and Ampangabe, Madagascar
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare alteration product of other bismuth minerals in the oxidized zone of some hydrothermal ore deposits; in zoned granite pegmatites. If you start seeing bismuth, bismutite, beyerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, pulverulent, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Is pucherite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like pucherite?+
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Find pucherite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
