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, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: medium, deep 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, so 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, so Leverettite leaves light green, Paratacamite leaves green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Leverettite leaves light green, Clinoatacamite leaves greenish white; luster reads vitreous on Leverettite and adamantine to vitreous on Clinoatacamite.
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
- Cu₃CoCl₂(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 3.64 g/cm³
- Colors
- MediumDeep green
- Streak
- Light green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, crusts, aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {101̄1}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As a secondary mineral in a weathered vein of copper and arsenic minerals
Where rockhounds find leverettite
Classic worldwide localities
- Torrecillas mine, Salar Grande, Iquique Province, Tarapacá Region, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As a secondary mineral in a weathered vein of copper and arsenic minerals. If you start seeing akaganeite, anhydrite, chalcophanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find leverettite on the map
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