Cloncurryite is a rare copper vanadium aluminum phosphate that forms sky-blue aggregates of acicular crystals. It is a product of the weathering in silicified goethite-hematite gossan. Associated minerals include malachite, pseudomalachite and cuprite. It was first described from B Tangye lode, Great Australia mine, Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia.
Is this cloncurryite?
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 cloncurryite with a known reference. Cloncurryite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale sky blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular, encrustations.
Often confused with
Cloncurryite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cornwallite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Cloncurryite leaves white, Cornwallite leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cloncurryite leaves white, Clinoclase leaves bluish green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cloncurryite leaves white, Lavendulan leaves light blue.
Often found alongside cloncurryite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cloncurryite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₀.₅(VO)₀.₅Al₂(PO₄)₂F₂·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.525 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pale sky blue
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, encrustations
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A product of the weathering in silicified goethite-hematite gossan
Where rockhounds find cloncurryite
Classic worldwide localities
- B Tangye lode, Great Australia mine, Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A product of the weathering in silicified goethite-hematite gossan. If you start seeing malachite, pseudomalachite, cuprite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, encrustations. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cloncurryite?+
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What rocks look like cloncurryite?+
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Find cloncurryite on the map
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