Joanneumite is a rare copper-organic mineral first discovered in the Rowley Mine of Arizona. It typically forms as small, distinctive violet 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 1, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale violet.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: violet.
- 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.
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(C₃N₃O₃H₂)₂(NH₃)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 1
- Density
- 2.020 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale violet
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, crusts
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Formed in cracks in gabbro by the convergence of solutions derived from the oxidation of disseminated Cu mineralization and nitrogen-rich guano in an arid region
Where rockhounds find joanneumite
Classic worldwide localities
- Rowley Mine, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Formed in cracks in gabbro by the convergence of solutions derived from the oxidation of disseminated Cu mineralization and nitrogen-rich guano in an arid region. If you start seeing salammoniac, dittmarite, möhnite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find joanneumite on the map
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