Kamarizaite is a rare secondary arsenate mineral known primarily from the historic mining district of Lavrion, Greece. It typically forms delicate, yellow to yellowish-green platy crystals or rosettes in the oxidized zones of lead-zinc deposits.
Is this kamarizaite?
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 kamarizaite with a known reference. Kamarizaite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kamarizaite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kamarizaite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, rosettes.
Often confused with
Kamarizaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kamarizaite leaves yellow, Pharmacosiderite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Kamarizaite and adamantine on Pharmacosiderite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kamarizaite leaves yellow, Scorodite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Kamarizaite and vitreous to sub-adamantine on Scorodite.
Often found alongside kamarizaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kamarizaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe³⁺₃(AsO₄)₂(OH)₃·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Rosettes
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Lead-zinc Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find kamarizaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kamariza mines, Lavrion, Greece
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal lead-zinc deposits country — that is the host setting where kamarizaite typically forms. If you start seeing arseniosiderite, adamite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, rosettes habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kamarizaite on the map
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