Chenevixite is a rare secondary copper iron arsenate found in the oxidized zones of metal-rich ore deposits. It usually forms as compact, resinous masses or crusts that can vary from bright yellowish-green to deep dark green, often requiring chemical testing or X-ray diffraction to confirm due to its massive habit.
Is this chenevixite?
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 chenevixite with a known reference. Chenevixite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chenevixite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chenevixite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow-green, dark green, blackish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, crusts, earthy aggregates.
Often confused with
Chenevixite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Chenevixite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Chenevixite leaves light green, Pharmacosiderite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Chenevixite and adamantine on Pharmacosiderite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chenevixite leaves light green, Olivenite leaves olive-green; luster reads resinous on Chenevixite and adamantine on Olivenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chenevixite leaves light green, Ludjibaite leaves light blue; luster reads resinous on Chenevixite and vitreous on Ludjibaite.
Often found alongside chenevixite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chenevixite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₂Fe₂³⁺(AsO₄)₂(OH)₄·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Crusts, Earthy Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Copper-arsenic Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find chenevixite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cornwall, England
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Mapimi, Mexico
- Tintic District, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of copper-arsenic deposits country — that is the host setting where chenevixite typically forms. If you start seeing olivenite, goethite, conichalcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, crusts, earthy aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chenevixite on the map
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