Arhbarite is a rare copper arsenate mineral typically found as vibrant green spherical aggregates or crusts in oxidized mine tailings. It is highly sought after by micromount collectors due to its intense coloration and distinct crystal habit. It most commonly occurs in association with other secondary copper minerals in localities like the Bou Azzer mining district.
Is this arhbarite?
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 arhbarite with a known reference. Arhbarite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Arhbarite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Arhbarite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright green, emerald green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: small spherical aggregates, crusts, or radiating groups of crystals.
Often confused with
Arhbarite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Arhbarite leaves pale green, Olivenite leaves olive-green; luster reads vitreous on Arhbarite and adamantine on Olivenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Arhbarite leaves pale green, Conichalcite leaves light green.
Often found alongside arhbarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with arhbarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₂(AsO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Small Spherical Aggregates, Crusts, Or Radiating Groups of Crystals
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Hydrothermal Copper-arsenic Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find arhbarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bou Azzer, Morocco
- Rudabanya, Hungary
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of hydrothermal copper-arsenic deposits country — that is the host setting where arhbarite typically forms. If you start seeing conichalcite, goethite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a small spherical aggregates, crusts, or radiating groups of crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find arhbarite on the map
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