Campigliaite is a very rare copper-manganese sulfate mineral found primarily in the Temperino mine in Italy. It typically forms delicate, light blue acicular crystal sprays or coatings associated with secondary oxidation zone minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrarenull family

Campigliaite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this campigliaite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch campigliaite with a known reference. Campigliaite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Campigliaite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Campigliaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: light blue, blue-green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous crystals.

Often confused with

Campigliaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Brochantite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Campigliaite leaves white, Brochantite leaves pale-green.

Compare →

Often found alongside campigliaite

Minerals reported to co-occur with campigliaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₄Mn(SO₄)₂(OH)₆·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.8 g/cm³
Colors: Light Blue Blue-green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Acicular or Fibrous Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 for small thumbnail specimens

Where rockhounds find campigliaite

Classic worldwide localities

Campiglia Marittima, Tuscany, Italy

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal mineral deposits country — that is the host setting where campigliaite typically forms. If you start seeing gypsum, goethite, malachite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or fibrous crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify campigliaite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include light blue, blue-green.

Where is campigliaite found?+

Notable localities include Campiglia Marittima, Tuscany, Italy.

How much is campigliaite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 for small thumbnail specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is campigliaite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains copper; handle with care and wash hands after handling to prevent ingestion or skin irritation. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like campigliaite?+

Campigliaite is most often confused with Chalcanthite, Brochantite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with campigliaite?+

Campigliaite commonly co-occurs with Gypsum, Goethite, Malachite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does campigliaite form in?+

Campigliaite typically forms in hydrothermal mineral deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is campigliaite used for?+

Campigliaite is used in collector.

Find campigliaite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.