Glaukosphaerite is a rare nickel-copper carbonate that typically forms as small, earthy, or botryoidal crusts. It is most often found in the weathered zones of copper-nickel deposits where it is closely associated with secondary malachite.
Is this glaukosphaerite?
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 glaukosphaerite with a known reference. Glaukosphaerite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: subvitreous to dull, silky if fibrous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: botryoidal, crusts, massive.
Often confused with
Glaukosphaerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads subvitreous to dull, silky if fibrous on Glaukosphaerite and adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive on Malachite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Glaukosphaerite leaves pale green, Rosasite leaves light blue; luster reads subvitreous to dull, silky if fibrous on Glaukosphaerite and vitreous to silky on Rosasite.
How to tell apart: Glaukosphaerite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-4 vs. 1-2); streak differs, so Glaukosphaerite leaves pale green, Aurichalcite leaves light blue; luster reads subvitreous to dull, silky if fibrous on Glaukosphaerite and silky to pearly on Aurichalcite.
Often found alongside glaukosphaerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with glaukosphaerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Cu,Ni)₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.78-3.96 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale green
- Luster
- Subvitreous to dull, silky if fibrous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, crusts, massive
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized portions of Cu–Ni sulfide deposits
Where rockhounds find glaukosphaerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Key West mine, east of Moapa, Bunkerville district, Clark Co., Nevada, USA
- Discovery gossan, eleven km south of Windarra, Australia
- Carr Boyd Rocks nickel mine, Yerilla district, 80 km north-northeast of Kalgoorlie, in the Scotia nickel mine, Kalgoorlie, and at the Jan nickel deposit, St. Ives, all, Western Australia
- Shinshiro, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
- Kasompi, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
- Kamariza mine, Laurium, Greece
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized portions of Cu–Ni sulfide deposits. If you start seeing nickeloan malachite, azurite, paratacamite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: botryoidal, crusts, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify glaukosphaerite?+
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Find glaukosphaerite on the map
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