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, so 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, so 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, 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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