Babánekite is a rare secondary mineral found in the oxidized zones of copper-arsenic deposits. It typically forms as delicate, light green to bluish-green acicular crystal sprays or crusts often associated with other rare arsenates.
Is this babánekite?
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 babánekite with a known reference. Babánekite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Babánekite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Babánekite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale green, bluish green, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular to lath-like crystals, crusts, or coatings.
Often confused with
Babánekite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Babánekite leaves white, Vivianite leaves white to light blue.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Babánekite leaves white, Erythrite leaves pale pink; luster reads vitreous on Babánekite and adamantine to pearly on Erythrite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Babánekite leaves white, Annabergite leaves pale green; luster reads vitreous on Babánekite and pearly, vitreous on Annabergite.
Often found alongside babánekite
Minerals reported to co-occur with babánekite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃(AsO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 3.31 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular to Lath-like Crystals, Crusts, Or Coatings
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Hydrothermal Base-metal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find babánekite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
- Schneeberg, Germany
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of hydrothermal base-metal deposits country — that is the host setting where babánekite typically forms. If you start seeing erythrite, annabergite, conichalcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular to lath-like crystals, crusts, or coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find babánekite on the map
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