Annabergite is a secondary mineral commonly found as an alteration product of nickel arsenides in oxidized mineral veins. It is prized by collectors for its distinctive bright apple-green color, though it is very soft and delicate to handle. It is chemically related to erythrite, which typically forms pink rather than green crystals.
Is this annabergite?
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 annabergite with a known reference. Annabergite sits at Mohs 1.5-2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Annabergite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Annabergite typically shows a pearly, vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: apple-green, pale green, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, crusts, earthy masses, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Annabergite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Annabergite leaves pale green, Erythrite leaves pale pink; luster reads pearly, vitreous on Annabergite and adamantine to pearly on Erythrite.
How to tell apart: Parabrandtite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2.5); streak differs — Annabergite leaves pale green, Parabrandtite leaves white; luster reads pearly, vitreous on Annabergite and vitreous on Parabrandtite.
Often found alongside annabergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with annabergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni₃(AsO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2.5
- Density
- 3.0-3.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Pearly, Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Crusts, Earthy Masses, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Nickel-bearing Arsenide Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-150 depending on specimen size and quality
Where rockhounds find annabergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Annaberg, Germany
- Laurion, Greece
- Bou Azzer, Morocco
- Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of nickel-bearing arsenide deposits country — that is the host setting where annabergite typically forms. If you start seeing erythrite, nickeline, gersdorffite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, crusts, earthy masses, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find annabergite on the map
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