Arzrunite is a rare copper-lead sulfate chloride mineral typically found in the oxidized zones of ore deposits. Collectors should look for its distinctive acicular or fibrous green crystals often coating other copper minerals.
Is this arzrunite?
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 arzrunite with a known reference. Arzrunite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, bluish green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic.
Often confused with
Arzrunite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside arzrunite
Minerals reported to co-occur with arzrunite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Cu₄SO₄(OH)₄Cl₆·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 4.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A questionable species
Where rockhounds find arzrunite
Classic worldwide localities
- Buena Esperanza mine, Challacolla, Tarapaca, Chile (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A questionable species. If you start seeing quartz, goethite, wulfenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify arzrunite?+
Where is arzrunite found?+
Is arzrunite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like arzrunite?+
What minerals are found with arzrunite?+
What kind of rock does arzrunite form in?+
What is arzrunite used for?+
Find arzrunite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
