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 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Diegogattaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Diegogattaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow.
- 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.
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
- Na₂CaCu₂Si₈O₂₀·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.54 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Tabular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail, $500+ cabinet
Where rockhounds find diegogattaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wessels Mine, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in manganese deposits country — that is the host setting where diegogattaite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, sugilite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find diegogattaite on the map
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