Apachite is a rare hydrous copper silicate mineral typically found as delicate, pale blue acicular or fibrous clusters. It is almost exclusively found in association with other copper minerals in the oxidized zones of copper deposits in Arizona. Collectors prize it for its unique, icy blue color and characteristic radial growth habits.
Is this apachite?
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 apachite with a known reference. Apachite 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. Apachite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Apachite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, pale blue, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular clusters, fibrous, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Apachite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Apachite and vitreous on Chrysocolla.
How to tell apart: Shattuckite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Apachite leaves white, Shattuckite leaves blue; luster reads pearly on Apachite and dull on Shattuckite.
How to tell apart: Planerite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4 vs. 2); luster reads pearly on Apachite and vitreous on Planerite.
Often found alongside apachite
Minerals reported to co-occur with apachite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₅Si₆O₁₆(OH)₂·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.2-2.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Clusters, Fibrous, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-200 depending on specimen size and quality
Where rockhounds find apachite
Classic worldwide localities
- Christmas Mine, Arizona, USA
- Tiger, Arizona, USA
- Black Prince Mine, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal copper deposits country — that is the host setting where apachite typically forms. If you start seeing chrysocolla, shattuckite, azurite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular clusters, fibrous, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find apachite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
