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, so 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, so Kapellasite leaves light green, Paratacamite leaves apple green; luster reads vitreous on Kapellasite and adamantine on Paratacamite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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