Camérolaite is a very rare secondary copper sulfate-carbonate mineral typically occurring as fragile, pearly blue crusts or tiny platy aggregates. It is primarily found in the oxidized zones of copper-rich sulfide deposits. Because of its rarity and delicate nature, it is highly sought after by advanced micromount and mineral species collectors.
Is this camérolaite?
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 camérolaite with a known reference. Camérolaite 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. Streak: pale green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, fibrous, radial.
Often confused with
Camérolaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads silky on Camérolaite and vitreous, may be pearly on {001} on Devilline.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Camérolaite leaves pale green, Langite leaves greenish blue; luster reads silky on Camérolaite and vitreous to silky on Langite.
Often found alongside camérolaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with camérolaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₆Al₃(OH)₁₈(H₂O)₂[Sb(OH)₆](SO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale green
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, fibrous, radial
- Cleavage
- On {100} and {001}, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of polymetallic mineral deposits
Where rockhounds find camérolaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cap Garonne mine, near le Pradet, Var, and at Ceilhes, Hérault, France
- St.-Luc, Val d’Anniviers, Valais, Switzerland
- Clara mine, near Oberwolfach, Black Forest, Germany
- Špania Dolina (Herrengrund) and Piesky, Slovakia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of polymetallic mineral deposits. If you start seeing parnauite, cyanotrichite, malachite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, fibrous, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify camérolaite?+
Where is camérolaite found?+
Is camérolaite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like camérolaite?+
What minerals are found with camérolaite?+
What kind of rock does camérolaite form in?+
What is camérolaite used for?+
Find camérolaite on the map
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