Hentschelite is a rare copper-iron phosphate mineral typically found in phosphate-rich hydrothermal environments. It usually appears as vibrant green, bladed crystals or radiating clusters, often requiring a hand lens for proper identification of its crystal habit.
Is this hentschelite?
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 hentschelite with a known reference. Hentschelite sits at Mohs 3.5, 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: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Hentschelite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside hentschelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hentschelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuFe₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.79 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed crystals, radial aggregates, crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in some oxidized copper deposits
Where rockhounds find hentschelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Reichenbach, near Bensheim, Hesse, Germany
- West Phoenix mine, near Liskeard, and the Phoenix United mines, Linkinhorne, Cornwall, England
- Bendada pegmatite, near Guarda, Portugal
- Spring Creek copper mine, near Wilmington, South Australia
- El Criollo pegmatite, Cerro Blanco, Tanti district, 45 km west of Córdoba, Córdoba Province, Argentina
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in some oxidized copper deposits. If you start seeing mimetite, beudantite, phosphogartrellite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hentschelite?+
Where is hentschelite found?+
Is hentschelite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like hentschelite?+
What minerals are found with hentschelite?+
What kind of rock does hentschelite form in?+
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Find hentschelite on the map
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