Liebauite is a rare calcium-potassium silicate mineral primarily found in volcanic ejecta and xenoliths within the Eifel region of Germany. It typically forms as small, clear to bluish green tabular crystals that are difficult to distinguish from associated silicate minerals without advanced testing.

Hardness

5-6

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Liebauite

Hardness: 5-6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this liebauite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch liebauite with a known reference. Liebauite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue green, greenish blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, granular aggregates.

Often confused with

Liebauite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside liebauite

Minerals reported to co-occur with liebauite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₃Cu₅Si₉O₂₆
Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 3.62 g/cm³
Colors: Blue green Greenish blue
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, granular aggregates
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In cavities in argillaceous sedimentary xenoliths subjected to very high-grade thermal metamorphism

Where rockhounds find liebauite

Classic worldwide localities

Sattelberg and Nickenicher Sattel volcanos and the Emmelberg cone, near Kruft, Eifel district, Germany

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In cavities in argillaceous sedimentary xenoliths subjected to very high-grade thermal metamorphism. If you start seeing cuprorivaite, tenorite, volborthite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, granular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify liebauite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include blue green, greenish blue.

Where is liebauite found?+

Notable localities include Sattelberg and Nickenicher Sattel volcanos and the Emmelberg cone, near Kruft, Eifel district, Germany.

Is liebauite safe to handle?+

Liebauite contains copper. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like liebauite?+

Liebauite is most often confused with Wollastonite, Pseudowollastonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with liebauite?+

Liebauite commonly co-occurs with Cuprorivaite, Tenorite, Volborthite, Calciovolborthite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does liebauite form in?+

Where it forms: In cavities in argillaceous sedimentary xenoliths subjected to very high-grade thermal metamorphism. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is liebauite used for?+

Liebauite is used in collector.

Find liebauite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.