Cesbronite is a rare copper tellurite mineral typically found as bright emerald green, radiating acicular clusters. It is almost exclusively associated with the highly oxidized zones of tellurium-rich ore bodies, most famously at the Bambollita mine in Mexico.
Is this cesbronite?
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 cesbronite with a known reference. Cesbronite 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. Cesbronite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cesbronite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald green, bright green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, radiating sprays, crusts.
Often confused with
Cesbronite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cesbronite leaves light green, Tlapallite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Cesbronite and resinous on Tlapallite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cesbronite leaves light green, Teineite leaves pale blue.
Often found alongside cesbronite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cesbronite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃Te⁴⁺O₄(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Radiating Sprays, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300+ per specimen depending on crystal quality
Where rockhounds find cesbronite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bambollita mine, Mexico
- Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits country, the host setting where cesbronite typically forms. If you start seeing emmonsite, quetzalcoatlite, rodalquilarite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, radiating sprays, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cesbronite on the map
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