Calvertite is a very rare copper carbonate mineral that typically appears as white, platy, or micaceous aggregates. It is primarily known from its type locality in Queensland, where it forms as an alteration product in oxidized copper-bearing zones.
Is this calvertite?
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 calvertite with a known reference. Calvertite 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. Calvertite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Calvertite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Calvertite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Malachite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Calvertite leaves white, Malachite leaves light green; luster reads pearly on Calvertite and vitreous on Malachite.
How to tell apart: Azurite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Calvertite leaves white, Azurite leaves light blue; luster reads pearly on Calvertite and vitreous to dull on Azurite.
Often found alongside calvertite
Minerals reported to co-occur with calvertite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₅(CO₃)₂(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.88 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Copper Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find calvertite
Classic worldwide localities
- Calvert, Queensland, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized copper ore deposits country — that is the host setting where calvertite typically forms. If you start seeing malachite, azurite, goethite 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 calvertite on the map
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