Cabalzarite is a rare arsenate mineral belonging to the Tsumcorite group, typically occurring as small, vibrant yellow to orange-yellow platy crystals. It is primarily found in complex hydrothermal deposits where arsenic-bearing minerals undergo oxidation. Collectors look for its distinctive flattened crystal habit often associated with dolomite or calcite in rare mineral localities.
Is this cabalzarite?
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 cabalzarite with a known reference. Cabalzarite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cabalzarite leaves a light yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cabalzarite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Cabalzarite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Tsumcorite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Cabalzarite leaves light yellow, Tsumcorite leaves yellowish.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Cabalzarite leaves light yellow, Gartrellite leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Cabalzarite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Cabalzarite leaves light yellow, Helmutwinklerite leaves yellow.
Often found alongside cabalzarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cabalzarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMgAs₂O₇(OH)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find cabalzarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Caslano, Switzerland
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Ojuela Mine, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where cabalzarite typically forms. If you start seeing dolomite, arsenopyrite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cabalzarite on the map
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