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 colorless to grayish white 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 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish white with a slight greenish tint.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. 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 4.5-5 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Veselovskýite leaves grayish white with a slight greenish tint, Pseudomalachite leaves pale green to pale bluish green.
How to tell apart: Libethenite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Veselovskýite leaves grayish white with a slight greenish tint, Libethenite leaves light green.
How to tell apart: Cornubite is the harder of the two (Mohs ~4 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Veselovskýite leaves grayish white with a slight greenish tint, 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
- ZnCu₄(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₂·9H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.28 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish white with a slight greenish tint
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or fibrous radial aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A supergene mineral in a Ag-As-Co-Ni-Bi-U hydrothermal vein deposit
Where rockhounds find veselovskýite
Classic worldwide localities
- Geister vein, Rovnost mine, Jachymov ore district (St. Joachimsthal), Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A supergene mineral in a Ag-As-Co-Ni-Bi-U hydrothermal vein deposit. If you start seeing strashimirite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous radial aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify veselovskýite?+
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What rocks look like veselovskýite?+
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Find veselovskýite on the map
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