Bluebellite is a very rare copper tellurate mineral typically found as small, vibrant blue tabular crystals in oxidized hydrothermal deposits. It is primarily known from the Tombstone District of Arizona, where it appears as a secondary mineral alongside other tellurium species. Collectors prize it for its intense, distinct blue color and unique crystal structure.
Is this bluebellite?
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 bluebellite with a known reference. Bluebellite 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. Bluebellite leaves a light blue streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bluebellite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, deep blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: hexagonal tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Bluebellite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Dugganite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Bluebellite leaves light blue, Dugganite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Bluebellite leaves light blue, Teineite leaves pale blue.
Often found alongside bluebellite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bluebellite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₆Te⁶⁺O₆(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 4.26 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light Blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Hexagonal Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 for small thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find bluebellite
Classic worldwide localities
- Grand Central mine, Arizona, USA
- Tombstone District, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing ore deposits country — that is the host setting where bluebellite typically forms. If you start seeing dugganite, jarosite, teineite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a hexagonal tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bluebellite on the map
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