Jacquesdietrichite is a rare copper borate mineral typically found as delicate, needle-like acicular crystals or radial sprays. It is predominantly known from the Cap Garonne mine in France, where it occurs as a secondary mineral in oxidized copper-rich zones of sedimentary host rocks.
Is this jacquesdietrichite?
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 jacquesdietrichite with a known reference. Jacquesdietrichite 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. Streak: pale blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: bladed, tabular.
Often confused with
Jacquesdietrichite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Malachite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous on Jacquesdietrichite and adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive on Malachite.
How to tell apart: Azurite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2).
Often found alongside jacquesdietrichite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jacquesdietrichite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₂BO(OH)₅
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.28 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed, tabular
- Cleavage
- Perfect {100}, good on {010} and {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Probably formed as a secondary, low-temperature product of hydrothermal reworking of boron-bearing manganese-oxide ore (gaudefroyite)
Where rockhounds find jacquesdietrichite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vein #2, Tachgagalt mine, near Ouarzazate, Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Probably formed as a secondary, low-temperature product of hydrothermal reworking of boron-bearing manganese-oxide ore (gaudefroyite). If you start seeing henritermierite, gaudefroyite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: bladed, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find jacquesdietrichite on the map
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