Leverettite is a rare copper chloride hydroxide mineral, essentially a polymorph within the atacamite group. It is typically found as small, dark green platy crystals forming within the oxidation zones of copper ore bodies. Collectors primarily find it in specific historic copper mining localities, often requiring microscopic examination to distinguish from its more common group members.
Is this leverettite?
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 leverettite with a known reference. Leverettite sits at Mohs 3-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Leverettite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Leverettite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, olive green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, aggregates.
Often confused with
Leverettite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Leverettite leaves light green, Atacamite leaves apple green; luster reads vitreous on Leverettite and adamantine to vitreous on Atacamite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Leverettite leaves light green, Paratacamite leaves apple green; luster reads vitreous on Leverettite and adamantine on Paratacamite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Leverettite leaves light green, Clinoatacamite leaves apple green.
Often found alongside leverettite
Minerals reported to co-occur with leverettite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄Cl₂(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 4.21 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find leverettite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lavender Pit, Arizona, USA
- Bisbee, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized copper deposits country — that is the host setting where leverettite typically forms. If you start seeing atacamite, cuprite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find leverettite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
