Camaronesite is a rare hydrated iron phosphate-sulfate discovered in the arid regions of northern Chile. It typically forms delicate, transparent, tabular crystals or radial aggregates within crusts of secondary sulfates, making it a prized specimen for specialized mineral collectors.
Is this camaronesite?
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 camaronesite with a known reference. Camaronesite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lavender, pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Camaronesite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside camaronesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with camaronesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe³⁺₂(PO₄)(SO₄)(OH)·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.43 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, radial aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in boulders from a weathered copper sulfide deposit exposed in an arid region
Where rockhounds find camaronesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Camarones, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in boulders from a weathered copper sulfide deposit exposed in an arid region. If you start seeing anhydrite, botryogen, chalcanthite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radial aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify camaronesite?+
Where is camaronesite found?+
What rocks look like camaronesite?+
What minerals are found with camaronesite?+
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Find camaronesite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
