Arhbarite is a rare copper arsenate mineral typically found as dark blue 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 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: sky-blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, spherical.
Often confused with
Arhbarite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Arhbarite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Arhbarite leaves sky-blue, Olivenite leaves olive-green to brown; luster reads vitreous on Arhbarite and adamantine to vitreous, pearly to silky if fibrous on Olivenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Arhbarite leaves sky-blue, Conichalcite leaves 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
- Cu₂MgAsO₄(OH)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.71 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Sky-blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, spherical
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in polymetallic hydrothermal ore deposits
Where rockhounds find arhbarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Arhbar mine, Bou Azzer district, Morocco
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in polymetallic hydrothermal ore deposits. If you start seeing dolomite, hematite, löllingite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous, spherical. 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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