Tsumebite
A variety of Minerals
What is Tsumebite?
Tsumebite is a rare phosphate mineral named in 1912 after the locality where it was first found, the Tsumeb mine in Namibia, well known to mineral collectors for the wide range of minerals found there. Tsumebite is a compound phosphate and sulfate of lead and copper, with hydroxyl, formula Pb2Cu(PO4)(SO4)(OH). There is a similar mineral called arsentsumebite, where the phosphate group PO4 is replaced by the arsenate group AsO4, giving the formula Pb2Cu(AsO4)(SO4)(OH). Both minerals are members of the brackebuschite group.
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Tsumebite before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Tsumebite Localities Map
See where Tsumebite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
Key Characteristics
Characteristics of Tsumebite
The mineral typically occurs as crusts of intergrown crystals on matrix. Cleavage is absent, but twinning is almost universal, and twins may be multiple, with serrated re-entrants. It is brittle, with an uneven fracture, hardness 3 ⁄2 and specific gravity 6.13. It is readily soluble in hydrochloric acid HCl and slowly soluble in nitric acid HNO3. It is not radioactive.
Composition of Tsumebite
The structure of the brackebuschite group minerals is composed of B-(O,OH)6 octahedra, two non-equivalent TO4 tetrahedra, TO4(1) and TO4(2), and two different irregular polyhedra of large cations. B and T represent different elements in different members of the group. Chains formed from the B octahedra link through the oxygens of TO4(2) tetrahedra, while the large cation polyhedra form double chains parallel to the b crystal axis through edge sharing with TO4(1) tetrahedra. The result is a tight three-dimensional structure. In tsumebite copper ions occupy the B sites, and phosphorus and sulfur occupy the T sites. Lead is the large cation.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Emerald-green sometimes bluish green; green in transmitted light.
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.22 g/cm³
- Streak
- White to faint green
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Pb2Cu(PO4)(SO4)(OH)
- Elements
- Cu, H, O, P, Pb, S
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Tsumebite FAQs
How do I identify Tsumebite?
Tsumebite can be identified by its hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale, Emerald-green sometimes bluish green; green in transmitted light. color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Tsumebite?
Tsumebite typically appears in Emerald-green sometimes bluish green; green in transmitted light.. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Tsumebite?
Tsumebite has a hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.
What is the characteristics of tsumebite of Tsumebite?
The mineral typically occurs as crusts of intergrown crystals on matrix. Cleavage is absent, but twinning is almost universal, and twins may be multiple, with serrated re-entrants. It is brittle, with an uneven fracture, hardness 3 ⁄2 and specific gravity 6.13. It is readily soluble in hydrochloric acid HCl and slowly soluble in nitric acid HNO3. It is not radioactive.
What is the composition of tsumebite of Tsumebite?
The structure of the brackebuschite group minerals is composed of B-(O,OH)6 octahedra, two non-equivalent TO4 tetrahedra, TO4(1) and TO4(2), and two different irregular polyhedra of large cations. B and T represent different elements in different members of the group. Chains formed from the B octahedra link through the oxygens of TO4(2) tetrahedra, while the large cation polyhedra form double chains parallel to the b crystal axis through edge sharing with TO4(1) tetrahedra. The result is a tight three-dimensional structure. In tsumebite copper ions occupy the B sites, and phosphorus and sulfur occupy the T sites. Lead is the large cation.
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