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 — Veselovskýite leaves white, Pseudomalachite leaves light green.
How to tell apart: Libethenite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4 vs. 3); streak differs — Veselovskýite leaves white, Libethenite leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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