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 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Camaronesite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Camaronesite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. 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
- 3
- Density
- 2.41 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Arid Volcanic Environments
- Typical price
- $50-300 for micro-mounts
Where rockhounds find camaronesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Camarones, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in arid volcanic environments country, the host setting where camaronesite typically forms. If you start seeing jarosite, copiapite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find camaronesite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
