DUSSERTITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Anhydrous arsenates
    Crystal system : Trigonal
    Chemistry : Ba(Fe,Sb)3(AsO4)2(OH,H2O)
    Rarity : Very rare

Dussertite is an extremely rare arsenate of iron and barium, present in the oxidation zone of base metal deposits, mainly those rich in arsenopyrite. It was named in honor of the French mining engineer Désiré Dussert. Dussertite forms tiny lamellar crystals, barely discernible to the eye, pseudo-octahedra and pseudo-cuboctahedra. However, it mainly constitutes rosettes and encrustations of an apple green to bluish green color.

Main photo : Dussertite from Wittichen, Freiburg, Germany © Michael Förch

Dussertite from the Clara Mine, Germany © Stephan Wolfsried
Dussertite from the Clara Mine, Germany © Edgar Müller
Dussertite on scorodite from the Clara Mine, Germany © Michael Förch
Dussertite from Djebel Debar, Algeria © Uwe Haubenreisser

Dussertite in the World

It is an arsenate present in the gossans of the polymetallic veins of the German Black Forest (Clara Mine in particular), also known in interesting samples at the Djebel Debar mine (Algeria), at the Ojuela mine near Mapimi (Mexico), and at the Senator mine in Anatolia (Turkey).

Dussertite in France

In France, dussertite is reported at Echassières (Allier), at Cap Garonne (Var), at the Tistoulet mine (Aude), and at Cuzac (Lot).

Twinning

No twin known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fake listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 3.5
Density : 3.75
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Pale green

TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.845 to 1.870
Birefringence : 0.025
Optical character : Uniaxial -
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -


Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None