Glaucocerinite is a rare zinc-copper sulfate mineral typically found as secondary crusts or delicate platy aggregates in oxidized base-metal deposits. It is most famous for its occurrence in the historical mining district of Laurion, where it forms small, eye-catching blue coatings on other secondary minerals.
Is this glaucocerinite?
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 glaucocerinite with a known reference. Glaucocerinite 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. Glaucocerinite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Glaucocerinite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale blue, sky blue, bluish white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, lamellar aggregates.
Often confused with
Glaucocerinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside glaucocerinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with glaucocerinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Zn,Cu)₆Al₃(SO₄,CO₃)₂(OH)₁₈·12H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts, Lamellar Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Ore Deposits in Carbonate Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-150 for micro-mounts or small thumbnails
Where rockhounds find glaucocerinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Laurion, Greece
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Broken Hill, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized ore deposits in carbonate rocks country — that is the host setting where glaucocerinite typically forms. If you start seeing smithsonite, azurite, malachite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts, lamellar aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find glaucocerinite on the map
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