Pucherite Locality: Point 14.0, Hohenstein, Reichenbach, Bensheim, Odenwald, Hesse, Germany Field of view 5 mm. Ex Klaus Petitjean collection. Specimen and photo Leon Hupperichs. — Photo: Leon Hupperichs · CC BY-SA 3.0
Pucherite
Pucherite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the vanadate class, with the chemical formula Bi(VO₄).
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pnca). It is a member of the Scheelite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4; specific gravity 6.69; Yellow streak; Vitreous to adamantine luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Puc, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1871.
A rare alteration product of other bismuth minerals in the oxidized zone of some hydrothermal ore deposits; in zoned granite pegmatites.
It is found associated with Bismuth, bismutite, beyerite, bismuthinite, schumacherite, clinobisvanite.
The name refers to its original occurrence at the Pucher shaft, Schneeberg, Germany.