Anthonyite is a rare copper halide mineral typically found as small, thin, blue to blue-green platy crystals or rosettes. It occurs primarily in the oxidized zones of copper-rich hydrothermal deposits and is prized by micro-mineral collectors for its delicate habit.
Is this anthonyite?
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 anthonyite with a known reference. Anthonyite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Anthonyite leaves a pale blue streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Anthonyite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, blue-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, flakes, rosettes.
Often confused with
Anthonyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Connellite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); luster reads pearly on Anthonyite and vitreous on Connellite.
How to tell apart: Paratacamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs, so Anthonyite leaves pale blue, Paratacamite leaves apple green; luster reads pearly on Anthonyite and adamantine on Paratacamite.
How to tell apart: Atacamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Anthonyite leaves pale blue, Atacamite leaves apple green; luster reads pearly on Anthonyite and adamantine to vitreous on Atacamite.
Often found alongside anthonyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with anthonyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu(OH,Cl)₂·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.31 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Blue
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Flakes, Rosettes
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find anthonyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Indian mine, Arizona, USA
- Planet mine, Arizona, USA
- Chuquicamata, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of copper deposits country, the host setting where anthonyite typically forms. If you start seeing cuprite, chrysocolla, tenorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, flakes, rosettes habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify anthonyite?+
Where is anthonyite found?+
How much is anthonyite worth?+
Is anthonyite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like anthonyite?+
What minerals are found with anthonyite?+
What kind of rock does anthonyite form in?+
What is anthonyite used for?+
Find anthonyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
