Leogangite is a rare copper arsenate sulfate that typically appears as vibrant, light green fibrous or acicular crystals. It is most commonly found in specimens from the Leogang mining district in Austria, often occurring as crusts or tufts in association with other copper minerals in altered ore deposits.
Is this leogangite?
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 leogangite with a known reference. Leogangite 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. Leogangite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Leogangite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Leogangite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside leogangite
Minerals reported to co-occur with leogangite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₁₀(AsO₄)₄(SO₄)(OH)₆·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Fibrous Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Carbonate Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and crystal quality
Where rockhounds find leogangite
Classic worldwide localities
- Leogang, Salzburg, Austria
- Lavrion District, Greece
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in carbonate rocks country — that is the host setting where leogangite typically forms. If you start seeing malachite, azurite, gersdorffite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or fibrous radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find leogangite on the map
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