Davidbrownite-(NH4) is an extremely rare ammonium-bearing arsenate mineral discovered at the Rowley Mine. It typically forms as small, tabular, colorless to white crystals within vugs of oxidized ore, often requiring magnification for proper identification.
Is this davidbrownite-(nh4)?
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 davidbrownite-(nh4) with a known reference. Davidbrownite-(NH4) 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. Davidbrownite-(NH4) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Davidbrownite-(NH4) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Davidbrownite-(NH4) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cornubite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Davidbrownite-(NH4) leaves white, Cornubite leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Conichalcite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Davidbrownite-(NH4) leaves white, Conichalcite leaves light green.
Often found alongside davidbrownite-(nh4)
Minerals reported to co-occur with davidbrownite-(nh4). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NH₄Cu₅(AsO₄)₃(OH)₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 1.74 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find davidbrownite-(nh4)
Classic worldwide localities
- Rowley Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where davidbrownite-(nh4) typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, barite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find davidbrownite-(nh4) on the map
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