Bluelizardite is a rare copper sulfate mineral characterized by its delicate blue, prismatic crystals. It is primarily found as crusts or small crystal sprays within sedimentary rocks and was named after its type locality at the Blue Lizard Mine.
Is this bluelizardite?
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 bluelizardite with a known reference. Bluelizardite 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. Bluelizardite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bluelizardite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, light blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Bluelizardite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bluelizardite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bluelizardite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Cu(SO₄)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.12 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find bluelizardite
Classic worldwide localities
- Blue Lizard Mine, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary country — that is the host setting where bluelizardite typically forms. If you start seeing brochantite, gypsum, pickeringite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.




