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, so Cabalzarite leaves light yellow, Tsumcorite leaves yellowish.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cabalzarite leaves light yellow, Gartrellite leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Cabalzarite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so 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, 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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