Tsumgallite is a rare gallium oxyhydroxide mineral first discovered in the oxidation zone of the famous Tsumeb Mine in Namibia. It typically forms as delicate, colorless to white acicular or radiating crystals associated with rare gallium-bearing sulfides. Due to its scarcity and origin, it is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors specializing in rare species or Tsumeb minerals.
Is this tsumgallite?
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 tsumgallite with a known reference. Tsumgallite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tsumgallite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tsumgallite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, radiating sprays.
Often confused with
Tsumgallite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Tsumgallite leaves white, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads vitreous on Tsumgallite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Tsumgallite leaves white, Lepidocrocite leaves orange-red; luster reads vitreous on Tsumgallite and submetallic on Lepidocrocite.
Often found alongside tsumgallite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tsumgallite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- GaO(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Radiating Sprays
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Polymetallic Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $200-1000+ for micro-mounts or small thumbnails
Where rockhounds find tsumgallite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in polymetallic hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where tsumgallite typically forms. If you start seeing gallite, germanite, tsumebite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, radiating sprays habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tsumgallite on the map
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