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 — Cesbronite leaves light green, Tlapallite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Cesbronite and resinous on Tlapallite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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