Hermannroseite is a rare copper phosphate mineral often found as small, vibrant green crusts or fine tabular crystals. It is primarily identified by its distinct color and association with other secondary copper minerals in oxidized zones of ore deposits.
Is this hermannroseite?
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 hermannroseite with a known reference. Hermannroseite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hermannroseite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hermannroseite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Hermannroseite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside hermannroseite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hermannroseite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaCu(PO₄)OH
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.84 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Granitic Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find hermannroseite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf-Sud Pegmatite, Germany
- Santa Rita Mine, Brazil
- Curaçao Mine, Spain
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in granitic pegmatites country — that is the host setting where hermannroseite typically forms. If you start seeing vauquelinite, olivenite, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hermannroseite?+
Where is hermannroseite found?+
How much is hermannroseite worth?+
Is hermannroseite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like hermannroseite?+
What minerals are found with hermannroseite?+
What kind of rock does hermannroseite form in?+
What is hermannroseite used for?+
Find hermannroseite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
