Tetrarooseveltite is a rare bismuth arsenate mineral that occurs as a secondary mineral in oxidized zones of arsenic-rich hydrothermal deposits. It is best identified by its bright yellow color and association with other bismuth-bearing secondary minerals in uranium-rich mining districts.
Is this tetrarooseveltite?
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 tetrarooseveltite with a known reference. Tetrarooseveltite 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. Tetrarooseveltite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tetrarooseveltite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: small tabular crystals, crusts, or aggregates.
Often confused with
Tetrarooseveltite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tetrarooseveltite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tetrarooseveltite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Bi(AsO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 6.63 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Small Tabular Crystals, Crusts, Or Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Uranium-rich Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find tetrarooseveltite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jachymov, Czech Republic
- Johanngeorgenstadt, Germany
- Schneeberg, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in uranium-rich deposits country — that is the host setting where tetrarooseveltite typically forms. If you start seeing bismutite, pucherite, walpurgite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a small tabular crystals, crusts, or aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tetrarooseveltite on the map
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