Cyprine is a rare copper-bearing variety of vesuvianite prized by collectors for its distinct, vibrant blue color. It typically forms in contact metamorphic zones where limestone has been altered by igneous intrusions, often occurring as translucent massive chunks or small, stubby prismatic crystals.

Hardness

6.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareVesuvianite family

Cyprine

Also: Blue Vesuvianite

Hardness: 6.5
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent

Is this cyprine?

4-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch cyprine with a known reference. Cyprine sits at Mohs 6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark red with a lilac hue.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

Cyprine vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Hemimorphite

Mohs 4.5-5

How to tell apart: Cyprine is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 4.5-5).

How to tell apart: Cyprine is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 4-4.5).

How to tell apart: Cyprine is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 5).

Compare →

Often found alongside cyprine

Minerals reported to co-occur with cyprine. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₁₉Cu(Al₁₁Mg)(SiO₄)₁₀(Si₂O₇)₄O(OH)₉
Mohs hardness: 6.5
Density: 3.40 g/cm³
Colors: Dark red with a lilac hue
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals, massive, granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Lapidary
Host rock: Of hydrothermal origin

Where rockhounds find cyprine

Classic worldwide localities

Wessels mine, near Hotazel, Kalahari Manganese Field, North Cape Province, Republic of South Africa

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin. If you start seeing calcite, apatite, andradite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify cyprine?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5. Luster: vitreous. Common colors include dark red with a lilac hue.

Where is cyprine found?+

Notable localities include Wessels mine, near Hotazel, Kalahari Manganese Field, North Cape Province, Republic of South Africa.

Is cyprine safe to handle?+

Cyprine contains copper. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like cyprine?+

Cyprine is most often confused with Hemimorphite, Smithsonite, Apatite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with cyprine?+

Cyprine commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Apatite, Andradite, Henritermierite, Rhodochrosite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does cyprine form in?+

Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is cyprine used for?+

Cyprine is used in collector, lapidary.

Find cyprine on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.