Conichalcite is a vibrant green secondary mineral often found as attractive botryoidal or crust-like coatings on rock surfaces. It forms in the oxidized zones of copper-arsenic deposits and is frequently collected for its bright coloration and pleasing globular habits.
Is this conichalcite?
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 conichalcite with a known reference. Conichalcite sits at Mohs 4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Conichalcite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Conichalcite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow-green, emerald-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: botryoidal, druzy, massive, or crusts.
Often confused with
Conichalcite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Conichalcite leaves light green, Austinite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Conichalcite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3); streak differs — Conichalcite leaves light green, Olivenite leaves olive-green; luster reads vitreous on Conichalcite and adamantine on Olivenite.
Often found alongside conichalcite
Minerals reported to co-occur with conichalcite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaCu(AsO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.1-4.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, Druzy, Massive, Or Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Mineral Specimen
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Arsenic-rich Hydrothermal Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-100 per specimen depending on quality and matrix
Where rockhounds find conichalcite
Classic worldwide localities
- Gold Hill, Utah, USA
- Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Bisbee, Arizona, USA
- Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of arsenic-rich hydrothermal copper deposits country — that is the host setting where conichalcite typically forms. If you start seeing malachite, limonite, adamine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal, druzy, massive, or crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find conichalcite on the map
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