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, so Hentschelite leaves pale green, Ludjibaite leaves light blue.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hentschelite leaves pale green, Pseudomalachite leaves light green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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