Brochantite is a vibrant, deep-green copper sulfate mineral that typically forms as acicular or prismatic crystal clusters in the oxidized zones of copper deposits. It is often found as a secondary mineral coating other copper minerals, and collectors value it for its intense, vitreous green color.
Is this brochantite?
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 brochantite with a known reference. Brochantite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Brochantite leaves a pale-green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Brochantite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald-green, dark-green, bright-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, prismatic, drusy crusts, botryoidal.
Often confused with
Brochantite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Brochantite leaves pale-green, Malachite leaves light green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Brochantite leaves pale-green, Antlerite leaves light green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Brochantite leaves pale-green, Atacamite leaves apple green; luster reads vitreous on Brochantite and adamantine to vitreous on Atacamite.
Often found alongside brochantite
Minerals reported to co-occur with brochantite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄(SO₄)(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.9-4.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale-green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Prismatic, Drusy Crusts, Botryoidal
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Specimen
- Host rock
- Oxidized Copper Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-150 depending on specimen size and crystal quality
Where rockhounds find brochantite
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Bisbee, Arizona (USA)
- Chuquicamata, Chile
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Lavrion, Greece
- Burra, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized copper ore deposits country — that is the host setting where brochantite typically forms. If you start seeing malachite, chrysocolla, cuprite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, prismatic, drusy crusts, botryoidal habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Mexico, Utah — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find brochantite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
