Veselovskýite is a rare secondary phosphate mineral discovered in the oxidized zones of hydrothermal deposits. It typically forms delicate, needle-like acicular crystals or fibrous sprays that appear as vibrant blue crusts or sprays on host rock surfaces.
Is this veselovskýite?
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 veselovskýite with a known reference. Veselovskýite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Veselovskýite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Veselovskýite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, light blue, turquoise blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Veselovskýite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pseudomalachite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Veselovskýite leaves white, Pseudomalachite leaves light green.
How to tell apart: Libethenite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4 vs. 3); streak differs, so Veselovskýite leaves white, Libethenite leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Veselovskýite leaves white, Cornubite leaves pale green.
Often found alongside veselovskýite
Minerals reported to co-occur with veselovskýite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ZnCu(PO₄)(OH)·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.85 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Fibrous Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Mineral Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find veselovskýite
Classic worldwide localities
- Veselovský Mine, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal mineral veins country, the host setting where veselovskýite typically forms. If you start seeing goethite, pyromorphite, malachite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or fibrous radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find veselovskýite on the map
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