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. Arzrunite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Arzrunite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, blue-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, crusts, or radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Arzrunite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Brochantite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Arzrunite leaves pale green, Brochantite leaves pale-green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Arzrunite leaves pale green, Connellite leaves pale blue.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Arzrunite leaves pale green, Linarite leaves pale blue.
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
- Cu₄Pb(SO₄)(OH)₆Cl₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 4.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Crusts, Or Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Lead-copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find arzrunite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tiger Mine, Arizona, USA
- Chillagoe, Queensland, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal lead-copper deposits country — that is the host setting where arzrunite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, goethite, wulfenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, crusts, or radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find arzrunite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
