Kaliochalcite is a rare, secondary sulfate mineral found in the oxidation zones of copper deposits. It typically forms as vibrant yellow-green or emerald-green crystalline crusts or small, distinct tabular crystals often mistaken for more common copper sulfates.
Is this kaliochalcite?
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 kaliochalcite with a known reference. Kaliochalcite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale green to white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright grass-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, drusy coatings, micro-crystalline crusts.
Often confused with
Kaliochalcite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kaliochalcite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kaliochalcite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KCu₂(SO₄)₂[(OH)(H₂O)]
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.49 g/cm³
- Colors
- Bright grass-green
- Streak
- Pale green to white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, drusy coatings, micro-crystalline crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Through the reaction of high-temperature, sublimate K-Cu-sulfates and atmospheric water vapor at temperatures <100-150 °C, in volcanic fumaroles
Where rockhounds find kaliochalcite
Classic worldwide localities
- Yadovitaya and Arsenatnaya fumaroles, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Through the reaction of high-temperature, sublimate K-Cu-sulfates and atmospheric water vapor at temperatures <100-150 °C, in volcanic fumaroles. If you start seeing hematite, tenorite, langbeinite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, drusy coatings, micro-crystalline crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kaliochalcite?+
Where is kaliochalcite found?+
Is kaliochalcite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like kaliochalcite?+
What minerals are found with kaliochalcite?+
What kind of rock does kaliochalcite form in?+
What is kaliochalcite used for?+
Find kaliochalcite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
