Burnsite is a rare potassium cadmium copper selenite that forms dark red anhedral equidimensional grains. It is a very rare fumarolic sublimate. Associated minerals include cotunnite, sofiite and ilinskite. It was first described from Tolbachik fissure volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.
Is this burnsite?
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 burnsite with a known reference. Burnsite 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. Burnsite leaves a red streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Burnsite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral equidimensional grains.
Often confused with
Burnsite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 1-1.5); streak differs, so Burnsite leaves red, Cerussite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Burnsite and adamantine on Cerussite.
How to tell apart: Phosgenite is the harder of the two (Mohs 2.5-3 vs. 1-1.5); streak differs, so Burnsite leaves red, Phosgenite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Burnsite and adamantine on Phosgenite.
Often found alongside burnsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with burnsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KCdCu₇O₂(SeO₃)₂Cl₉
- Mohs hardness
- 1-1.5
- Density
- 3.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Red
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Equidimensional Grains
- Cleavage
- On {0001}, Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Lead Deposits
Where rockhounds find burnsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik fissure volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized lead deposits country, the host setting where burnsite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, wulfenite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral equidimensional grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify burnsite?+
Where is burnsite found?+
Is burnsite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like burnsite?+
What minerals are found with burnsite?+
What kind of rock does burnsite form in?+
What is burnsite used for?+
Find burnsite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
