Belloite is a rare copper halide mineral typically found as small, colorless to white tabular crystals in arid oxidized zones. It is primarily known from the copper mines of Chile and is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors for its unique chemistry and rarity.
Is this belloite?
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 belloite with a known reference. Belloite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Belloite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Belloite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Belloite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Atacamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Belloite leaves white, Atacamite leaves apple green; luster reads vitreous on Belloite and adamantine to vitreous on Atacamite.
How to tell apart: Paratacamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs — Belloite leaves white, Paratacamite leaves apple green; luster reads vitreous on Belloite and adamantine on Paratacamite.
How to tell apart: Clinoatacamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs — Belloite leaves white, Clinoatacamite leaves apple green.
Often found alongside belloite
Minerals reported to co-occur with belloite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu(OH)₃Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.56 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality and size
Where rockhounds find belloite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sierra Gorda, Chile
- Chuquicamata, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized copper deposits country — that is the host setting where belloite typically forms. If you start seeing atacamite, paratacamite, chrysocolla in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find belloite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
