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. Streak: light blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, tabular.
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, so Likasite leaves light blue, Malachite leaves pale green; luster reads pearly on Likasite and adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive on Malachite.
How to tell apart: Azurite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs, so Likasite leaves light blue, Azurite leaves pale blue; luster reads pearly on Likasite and vitreous to subadamantine on Azurite.
How to tell apart: Connellite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs, so Likasite leaves light blue, Connellite leaves pale greenish blue; 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
- 2.96-2.98 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light blue
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, tabular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper deposits
Where rockhounds find likasite
Classic worldwide localities
- Copper Cities deposit, Gila Co., Arizona, USA
- Likasi, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
- Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan
- Hingston Down quarry, Calstock, Cornwall, England
- Huelgoat, Brittany, France
- Spring Creek mine, near Wilmington, South Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper deposits. If you start seeing cuprite, brochantite, malachite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, tabular. 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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