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 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hentschelite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hentschelite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, grass-green, emerald-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.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hentschelite leaves pale green, Ludjibaite leaves light blue.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hentschelite leaves pale green, Pseudomalachite leaves light green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hentschelite leaves pale green, Cornetite leaves pale blue.
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
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Phosphate Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find hentschelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Reichenbach, Germany
- Cornwall, United Kingdom
- Laurion, Greece
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, phosphate deposits country — that is the host setting where hentschelite typically forms. If you start seeing vauxite, paravauxite, goyazite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hentschelite on the map
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