Claringbullite is a rare copper hydroxychloride typically found as thin, bright blue hexagonal plates or micaceous clusters. It forms in the oxidized zones of copper deposits, often occurring as a secondary mineral on weathered rocks. Collectors prize it for its vibrant color and distinct crystal habit, which stands out against matrix minerals like malachite or cuprite.
Is this claringbullite?
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 claringbullite with a known reference. Claringbullite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, light blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: hexagonal plates, micaceous aggregates.
Often confused with
Claringbullite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Claringbullite leaves light blue, Atacamite leaves apple-green; luster reads pearly on Claringbullite and adamantine to vitreous on Atacamite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Claringbullite leaves light blue, Paratacamite leaves green; luster reads pearly on Claringbullite and vitreous on Paratacamite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Claringbullite leaves light blue, Connellite leaves pale greenish blue; luster reads pearly on Claringbullite and vitreous on Connellite.
Often found alongside claringbullite
Minerals reported to co-occur with claringbullite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄FCl(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light blue
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Hexagonal plates, micaceous aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {0001}; distinct on {1010} and {1120}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In oxidized copper ore or slag, produced under chlorine-rich conditions
Where rockhounds find claringbullite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cole and Southwest mines, Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
- Nchanga mine, Chingola, Zambia
- M’sesa mine, Kambove, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
- Malanjkhand copper deposit, north of Durg, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Great Australia mine, near Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In oxidized copper ore or slag, produced under chlorine-rich conditions. If you start seeing cuprite, malachite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: hexagonal plates, micaceous aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find claringbullite on the map
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