Euchroite is a rare hydrated copper arsenate known for its striking emerald-green, prismatic crystals. It is most famously found in the oxidation zones of copper deposits in Ľubietová, Slovakia, often appearing as attractive radiating sprays or individual distinct prisms.
Is this euchroite?
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 euchroite with a known reference. Euchroite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Euchroite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Euchroite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald-green, dark green, leek-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Euchroite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Euchroite leaves pale green, Olivenite leaves olive-green; luster reads vitreous on Euchroite and adamantine on Olivenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Euchroite leaves pale green, Adamite leaves white.
Often found alongside euchroite
Minerals reported to co-occur with euchroite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₂AsO₄(OH)·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Copper-arsenic Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find euchroite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ľubietová, Slovakia
- Greece
- Chile
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized copper-arsenic deposits country — that is the host setting where euchroite typically forms. If you start seeing olivenite, malachite, limonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find euchroite on the map
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