Likasite is a rare copper nitrate mineral typically found as small, fragile blue to blue-green platy crystal aggregates in oxidized copper deposits. It is most famous for its type locality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it occurs as a secondary mineral in arid environments.
Is this likasite?
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 likasite with a known reference. Likasite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Likasite leaves a pale blue streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Likasite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, blue-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, pseudo-hexagonal aggregates.
Often confused with
Likasite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Malachite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Likasite leaves pale blue, Malachite leaves light green; luster reads pearly on Likasite and vitreous on Malachite.
How to tell apart: Azurite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Likasite leaves pale blue, Azurite leaves light blue; luster reads pearly on Likasite and vitreous to dull on Azurite.
How to tell apart: Connellite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); luster reads pearly on Likasite and vitreous on Connellite.
Often found alongside likasite
Minerals reported to co-occur with likasite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃(OH)₅(NO₃)·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Blue
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Pseudo-hexagonal Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Copper Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find likasite
Classic worldwide localities
- Likasi (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Atacama (Chile)
- Chuquicamata (Chile)
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized copper ore deposits country — that is the host setting where likasite typically forms. If you start seeing azurite, malachite, chrysocolla in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, pseudo-hexagonal aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find likasite on the map
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