Carbonatecyanotrichite is a rare secondary copper mineral that typically forms delicate, needle-like crystals or soft, velvety mats. It is often visually indistinguishable from cyanotrichite without chemical analysis, occurring primarily in the oxidation zones of copper-rich hydrothermal ore bodies.
Is this carbonatecyanotrichite?
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 carbonatecyanotrichite with a known reference. Carbonatecyanotrichite 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 blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, greenish blue, azure blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular, aggregates.
Often confused with
Carbonatecyanotrichite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside carbonatecyanotrichite
Minerals reported to co-occur with carbonatecyanotrichite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄Al₂(CO₃)(OH)₁₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- <2
- Density
- 2.66 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale blue
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper-bearing deposits
Where rockhounds find carbonatecyanotrichite
Classic worldwide localities
- Engels mine, north of Taylorsville, Plumas Co., California, USA
- Gold Quarry mine, near Carlin, Maggie Creek district, Eureka Co., Nevada, USA
- Jomac mine, White Canyon district, San Juan Co., Utah, USA
- Emery mine, Chester, Hampton Co., Massachusetts, USA
- Balasauskandyk, Kurumsak, and other vanadium deposits, Kara-Tau Mountains, Kazakhstan
- Mt. Dzhebagly, Talass Alatau Range, and from Sary-Dzhas, Terskii Alatau Range, Kyrgyzstan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper-bearing deposits. If you start seeing volborthite, malachite, azurite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify carbonatecyanotrichite?+
Where is carbonatecyanotrichite found?+
Is carbonatecyanotrichite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like carbonatecyanotrichite?+
What minerals are found with carbonatecyanotrichite?+
What kind of rock does carbonatecyanotrichite form in?+
What is carbonatecyanotrichite used for?+
Find carbonatecyanotrichite on the map
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