Grandviewite is a rare copper-aluminum chloride hydroxide mineral found primarily in oxidized copper ore zones. It typically forms as delicate, pale green to white micaceous or platy aggregates, often requiring magnification for clear identification.
Is this grandviewite?
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 grandviewite with a known reference. Grandviewite 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. Grandviewite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Grandviewite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale green, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous aggregates.
Often confused with
Grandviewite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Connellite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs — Grandviewite leaves white, Connellite leaves pale blue; luster reads pearly on Grandviewite and vitreous on Connellite.
How to tell apart: Paratacamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs — Grandviewite leaves white, Paratacamite leaves apple green; luster reads pearly on Grandviewite and adamantine on Paratacamite.
Often found alongside grandviewite
Minerals reported to co-occur with grandviewite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₉Al₃(OH)₂₂Cl₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.79 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Micaceous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Copper Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per micro-specimen
Where rockhounds find grandviewite
Classic worldwide localities
- Grand View mine, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized copper ore deposits country — that is the host setting where grandviewite typically forms. If you start seeing brochantite, chrysocolla, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, micaceous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify grandviewite?+
Where is grandviewite found?+
How much is grandviewite worth?+
Is grandviewite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like grandviewite?+
What minerals are found with grandviewite?+
What kind of rock does grandviewite form in?+
What is grandviewite used for?+
Find grandviewite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
