Biehlite is an exceptionally rare antimony-molybdenum mineral typically found as delicate, acicular needle-like crystals in oxidized zones of ore deposits. It is primarily known for its association with specific historical mines in Tombstone, Arizona, and is highly sought after by advanced micromount collectors.
Is this biehlite?
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 biehlite with a known reference. Biehlite sits at Mohs 1-1.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous.
Often confused with
Biehlite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Molybdomenite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1-1.5); luster reads silky on Biehlite and pearly, adamantine, to greasy on Molybdomenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Biehlite leaves white, Ferrimolybdite leaves pale yellow; luster reads silky on Biehlite and adamantine to silky, earthy on Ferrimolybdite.
Often found alongside biehlite
Minerals reported to co-occur with biehlite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (SbO)₂(MoO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 1-1.5
- Density
- 5.23 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral from an oxidized zone in a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit
Where rockhounds find biehlite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral from an oxidized zone in a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit. If you start seeing anglesite, wulfenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify biehlite?+
Where is biehlite found?+
Is biehlite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like biehlite?+
What minerals are found with biehlite?+
What kind of rock does biehlite form in?+
What is biehlite used for?+
Find biehlite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
