Chalconatronite is a secondary copper carbonate mineral that often forms as an alteration product of copper-bearing artifacts or in oxidized zones of copper deposits. It typically appears as pale blue to blue-green radial clusters or delicate crusts and is highly prized by collectors for its rare and distinct crystalline form.
Is this chalconatronite?
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 chalconatronite with a known reference. Chalconatronite sits at Mohs 1-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale greenish blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: greenish blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: encrustations, lath, platy.
Often confused with
Chalconatronite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Azurite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 1-2).
How to tell apart: Malachite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 1-2); luster reads vitreous on Chalconatronite and adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive on Malachite.
Often found alongside chalconatronite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chalconatronite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Cu(CO₃)₂·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 2.27 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale greenish blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Encrustations, lath, platy
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A component of patina on bronze artifacts, apparently characteristic of arid weathering environments (Egypt); an uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of polymetallic deposits
Where rockhounds find chalconatronite
Classic worldwide localities
- Deremo-Snyder mine, San Miguel Co., Colorado, and at the White Pine mine, Ontonagon Co., Michigan, USA
- Carr Boyd Rocks nickel mine, Yerilla district, 80 km north-northeast of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
- Glückrad mine, near Oberschulenberg, Harz Mountains, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A component of patina on bronze artifacts, apparently characteristic of arid weathering environments (Egypt); an uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of polymetallic deposits. If you start seeing cuprite, atacamite, paratacamite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations, lath, platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chalconatronite?+
Where is chalconatronite found?+
Is chalconatronite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like chalconatronite?+
What minerals are found with chalconatronite?+
What kind of rock does chalconatronite form in?+
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Find chalconatronite on the map
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