Kipushite is a rare copper-zinc phosphate mineral typically found as small, vibrant green crusts or radial sprays in oxidized base metal deposits. It is best known from the Kipushi mine in the Congo where it forms in association with various other secondary copper minerals. Due to its scarcity, it is primarily sought after by advanced collectors of rare phosphate or copper minerals.
Is this kipushite?
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 kipushite with a known reference. Kipushite 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 blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: radial aggregates, crusts, prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Kipushite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kipushite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kipushite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₆(PO₄)₂(OH)₆·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Radial aggregates, crusts, prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a Cu–Zn deposit (Kipushi, Congo)
Where rockhounds find kipushite
Classic worldwide localities
- Black Pine mine, near Philipsburg, Granite Co., Montana, and at the Snowstorm mine, near Battle Mountain, Lander Co., Nevada, USA
- Kipushi, 28 km southwest of Lubumbashi, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
- Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a Cu–Zn deposit (Kipushi, Congo). If you start seeing pseudomalachite, malachite, hemimorphite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: radial aggregates, crusts, prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kipushite?+
Where is kipushite found?+
Is kipushite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like kipushite?+
What minerals are found with kipushite?+
What kind of rock does kipushite form in?+
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Find kipushite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
