Diegogattaite is a rare copper silicate mineral known for its distinctive yellow tabular crystal aggregates. It is primarily found within the manganese-rich environments of the Wessels Mine in South Africa, often occurring as delicate, thin plates.
Is this diegogattaite?
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 diegogattaite with a known reference. Diegogattaite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: very pale blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale turquoise, teal blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates.
Often confused with
Diegogattaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Diegogattaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3-4); streak differs, so Diegogattaite leaves very pale blue, Cavansite leaves bluish white.
How to tell apart: Diegogattaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-6 vs. ~3-4); streak differs, so Diegogattaite leaves very pale blue, Pentagonite leaves bluish white.
Often found alongside diegogattaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with diegogattaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂CaCu₂Si₈O₂₀·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.10 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pale turquoiseTeal blue
- Streak
- Very pale blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, tabular aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a hydrothermally altered manganese deposit
Where rockhounds find diegogattaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wessels Mine, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a hydrothermally altered manganese deposit. If you start seeing wesselite, aegirine, cu-rich pectolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify diegogattaite?+
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What rocks look like diegogattaite?+
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Find diegogattaite on the map
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