Jensenite is a very rare copper tellurite mineral discovered in the oxidized zones of tellurium-rich ore deposits. It typically forms thin, sky-emerald-green drusy coatings on matrix and is highly prized by advanced micromount collectors.
Is this jensenite?
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 jensenite with a known reference. Jensenite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: cryptocrystalline, pseudo rhombohedral, subhedral crystals.
Often confused with
Jensenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Jensenite leaves green, Quetzalcoatlite leaves pale blue, almost white; luster reads adamantine on Jensenite and pearly to dull on Quetzalcoatlite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Jensenite leaves green, Sonoraite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Jensenite and vitreous on Sonoraite.
Often found alongside jensenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jensenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃Te⁶⁺O₆·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.76 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Green
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Cryptocrystalline, pseudo rhombohedral, subhedral crystals
- Cleavage
- On {101}, fair
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Very rare in an oxidized Cu–Te-bearing sulfide deposit
Where rockhounds find jensenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Collected on the dumps of the Centennial Eureka mine, Tintic district, Juab Co., Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Very rare in an oxidized Cu–Te-bearing sulfide deposit. If you start seeing mcalpineite, xocomecatlite, leisingite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: cryptocrystalline, pseudo rhombohedral, subhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find jensenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
