Information about Hechtsbergite

Hechtsbergite is a rare mineral characterized by its light brown to tan colours. It occurs alongside a range of other bismuth minerals.

Uses and History

Due to its rarity and limited occurrence, hechtsbergite is primarily of interest to mineral collectors and researchers.

Hechtsbergite is named after its type locality, Hechtsberg quarry, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Potentially toxic due to presence of bismuth and vanadinite – however, crystals are small and uncommon – this isn’t something you’re likely to encounter often accidentally.

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Further Reading / External Links

• https://www.mindat.org/min-6986.html
• http://webmineral.com/data/Hechtsbergite.shtml
• https://handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/hechtsbergite.pdf
• https://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?lang=en&mineral=Hechtsbergit