Suseinargiuite is a rare sodium bismuth molybdate that forms colorless acicular crystals in hemispherical aggregates. It formed by hydrothermal and/or supergene alteration of a primary Mo-Bi mineral assemblage. Associated minerals include wulfenite, molybdenite and chalcopyrite. It was first described from Su Seinargiu, northwest of Sarroch, Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy.
Is this suseinargiuite?
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 suseinargiuite with a known reference. Suseinargiuite 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. Suseinargiuite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Suseinargiuite typically shows a pearly to adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: acicular crystals form hemispherical aggregates.
Often confused with
Suseinargiuite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Suseinargiuite leaves yellowish-white, Thaumasite leaves white; luster reads pearly to adamantine on Suseinargiuite and vitreous on Thaumasite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Suseinargiuite leaves yellowish-white, Ettringite leaves white; luster reads pearly to adamantine on Suseinargiuite and vitreous on Ettringite.
Often found alongside suseinargiuite
Minerals reported to co-occur with suseinargiuite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na₀.₅Bi₀.₅)(MoO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 5.597 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Pearly to Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals Form Hemispherical Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Alteration Zones in Volcanic Rocks
Where rockhounds find suseinargiuite
Classic worldwide localities
- Su Seinargiu, Sardinia, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal alteration zones in volcanic rocks country, the host setting where suseinargiuite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, thaumasite, ettringite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals form hemispherical aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find suseinargiuite on the map
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