Kapellasite is a rare copper zinc chloride mineral primarily found as small, vibrant green platy crystals in oxidized zones of ore deposits. It is highly sought after by collectors of micro-minerals due to its sharp, distinct habit often associated with other secondary copper species in the famous slags of Laurion.
Is this kapellasite?
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 kapellasite with a known reference. Kapellasite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kapellasite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kapellasite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright green, pale green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates.
Often confused with
Kapellasite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kapellasite leaves light green, Atacamite leaves apple green; luster reads vitreous on Kapellasite and adamantine to vitreous on Atacamite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kapellasite leaves light green, Paratacamite leaves apple green; luster reads vitreous on Kapellasite and adamantine on Paratacamite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kapellasite leaves light green, Botallackite leaves pale green.
Often found alongside kapellasite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kapellasite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃Zn(OH)₆Cl₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.84 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Tabular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find kapellasite
Classic worldwide localities
- Laurion, Greece
- Sierra Gorda, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where kapellasite typically forms. If you start seeing linarite, serpierite, smithsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kapellasite on the map
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