Calciocopiapite is a rare sulfate mineral typically found as a secondary oxidation product in sulfide-bearing mining environments. Collectors should look for delicate yellow, platy crystals or efflorescent crusts forming in dry, sheltered areas of mine adits where iron-rich waters have evaporated.
Is this calciocopiapite?
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 calciocopiapite with a known reference. Calciocopiapite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Calciocopiapite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Calciocopiapite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, pale yellow, sulfur yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular crusts, efflorescent coatings.
Often confused with
Calciocopiapite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Calciocopiapite leaves white, Copiapite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Calciocopiapite leaves white, Jarosite leaves yellow; luster reads pearly on Calciocopiapite and vitreous on Jarosite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Calciocopiapite and vitreous on Melanterite.
Often found alongside calciocopiapite
Minerals reported to co-occur with calciocopiapite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaFe₄(SO₄)₆(OH)₂·20H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 2.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Granular Crusts, Efflorescent Coatings
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Sulfide-rich Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find calciocopiapite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chile
- Germany
- United States
- Spain
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of sulfide-rich ore deposits country — that is the host setting where calciocopiapite typically forms. If you start seeing copiapite, jarosite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular crusts, efflorescent coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find calciocopiapite on the map
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