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 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pucherite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pucherite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, orange, brownish-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular, prismatic, or acicular crystals.
Often confused with
Pucherite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pucherite leaves yellow, Wulfenite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Pucherite and resinous on Wulfenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pucherite leaves yellow, Crocoite leaves orange-yellow.
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
- 3-4
- Density
- 6.25 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular, Prismatic, Or Acicular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On (001)
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Bismuth-bearing Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail, $300-1500 cabinet
Where rockhounds find pucherite
Classic worldwide localities
- Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany
- Mina Transito, Chile
- Colonia, Uruguay
- Arizona, USA
- California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in bismuth-bearing ore deposits country — that is the host setting where pucherite typically forms. If you start seeing bismutite, bismuthinite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular, prismatic, or acicular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pucherite on the map
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