Chloromenite is a very rare copper selenite mineral that occurs as small, distinctively green tabular crystals or crusts. It is most commonly found as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zones of seleniferous hydrothermal ore deposits. Collectors primarily find this material in specialized localities associated with other rare selenium minerals.
Is this chloromenite?
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 chloromenite with a known reference. Chloromenite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chloromenite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chloromenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Chloromenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chloromenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chloromenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuSeO₃·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Selenium-bearing Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find chloromenite
Classic worldwide localities
- La Rioja, Argentina
- Bisbee, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of selenium-bearing hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where chloromenite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcomenite, athabascaite, umangite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chloromenite?+
Where is chloromenite found?+
How much is chloromenite worth?+
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What rocks look like chloromenite?+
What minerals are found with chloromenite?+
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Find chloromenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
