Juabite is a very rare copper tellurite mineral discovered in the Tintic District of Utah. It typically occurs as small, delicate light-green platy crystals or crusts coating fractures in oxidized gold-bearing ores.

Hardness

2.5-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Juabite

Hardness: 2.5-3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

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Is this juabite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch juabite with a known reference. Juabite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Juabite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Juabite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: light green, pale blue-green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, aggregates.

Often confused with

Juabite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Teineite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Juabite leaves white, Teineite leaves pale blue.

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Juabite leaves white, Malachite leaves light green.

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Often found alongside juabite

Minerals reported to co-occur with juabite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₅(TeO₃)₄(AsO₄)₂·3H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
Density: 3.5 g/cm³
Colors: Light Green Pale Blue-green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Platy Crystals, Crusts, Aggregates
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
Typical price: $100-500 for high-quality micro-specimens

Where rockhounds find juabite

Classic worldwide localities

Tintic District, Juab County, Utah, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits country — that is the host setting where juabite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurite, emmonsite, quetzalcoatlite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify juabite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include light green, pale blue-green.

Where is juabite found?+

Notable localities include Tintic District, Juab County, Utah, USA.

How much is juabite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 for high-quality micro-specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is juabite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains copper, tellurium, and arsenic. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and do not inhale dust. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like juabite?+

Juabite is most often confused with Teineite, Malachite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with juabite?+

Juabite commonly co-occurs with Tellurite, Emmonsite, Quetzalcoatlite, Gold. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does juabite form in?+

Juabite typically forms in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is juabite used for?+

Juabite is used in collector.

Find juabite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.