Bellingerite is an extremely rare copper iodate mineral found primarily in the arid, oxidized zones of Chilean copper mines. Collectors typically encounter it as tiny, pale green transparent crystals associated with other secondary copper minerals in porphyry copper deposits.
Is this bellingerite?
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 bellingerite with a known reference. Bellingerite sits at Mohs ~4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: very pale green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: small prismatic to tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Bellingerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Bellingerite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~4 vs. 3); streak differs, so Bellingerite leaves very pale green, Salesite leaves light green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Bellingerite leaves very pale green, Dietzeite leaves light yellow.
Often found alongside bellingerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bellingerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃(IO₃)₆·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~4
- Density
- 4.89 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Very pale green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Small prismatic to tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Indistinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in veinlets in a porphyry copper deposit
Where rockhounds find bellingerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chuquicamata, Antofagasta, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in veinlets in a porphyry copper deposit. If you start seeing leightonite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: small prismatic to tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bellingerite?+
Where is bellingerite found?+
Is bellingerite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like bellingerite?+
What minerals are found with bellingerite?+
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Find bellingerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
