Joanneumite is a rare copper-organic mineral first discovered in the Rowley Mine of Arizona. It typically forms as small, distinctive blue tabular crystals or crusts within oxidized copper zones. Because it contains nitrogen-bearing organic ligands, it is of significant interest to mineralogists studying exotic mineral species.
Is this joanneumite?
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 joanneumite with a known reference. Joanneumite 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. Joanneumite leaves a pale blue streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Joanneumite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, greenish-blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Joanneumite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Azurite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs, so Joanneumite leaves pale blue, Azurite leaves light blue; luster reads vitreous on Joanneumite and vitreous to dull on Azurite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Joanneumite leaves pale blue, Chalcanthite leaves white.
Often found alongside joanneumite
Minerals reported to co-occur with joanneumite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu(C₃H₄N₂)₂Cl₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.47 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Copper Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 for small high-quality micromounts
Where rockhounds find joanneumite
Classic worldwide localities
- Rowley Mine, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized copper ore deposits country, the host setting where joanneumite typically forms. If you start seeing azurite, malachite, atacamite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify joanneumite?+
Where is joanneumite found?+
How much is joanneumite worth?+
Is joanneumite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like joanneumite?+
What minerals are found with joanneumite?+
What kind of rock does joanneumite form in?+
What is joanneumite used for?+
Find joanneumite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
