Maghrebite is an extremely rare magnesium arsenate mineral first described from the Tounfit region of Morocco. It typically appears as small, colorless prismatic crystals and is primarily a prize for advanced mineralogists focusing on rare arsenates.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Maghrebite

Hardness: >2
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this maghrebite?

4-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 maghrebite with a known reference. Maghrebite sits at Mohs >2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to acicular crystals.

Often found alongside maghrebite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: MgAl₂(AsO₄)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₆·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: >2
Density: 2.60 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Prismatic to acicular crystals
Cleavage: Perfect on {010}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: From weathering Co-arsenides in a hydrothermal Co-Ni-As-(Cu-U-Mo) vein in an arid environment

Where rockhounds find maghrebite

Classic worldwide localities

Aghbar mine, Bou Azzer district, Anti-Atlas, Morocco

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: From weathering Co-arsenides in a hydrothermal Co-Ni-As-(Cu-U-Mo) vein in an arid environment. If you start seeing erythrite, wendwilsonite, arseniosiderite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic to acicular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify maghrebite?+

Mohs hardness is >2. Luster: vitreous. Common colors include colorless.

Where is maghrebite found?+

Notable localities include Aghbar mine, Bou Azzer district, Anti-Atlas, Morocco.

Is maghrebite safe to handle?+

Maghrebite contains arsenic and calls for real care. Contains arsenic. Handle with care, avoid creating dust, and wash hands thoroughly after handling to prevent ingestion or inhalation of toxic dust.

What minerals are found with maghrebite?+

Maghrebite commonly co-occurs with Erythrite, Wendwilsonite, Arseniosiderite, Pharmacoalumite, Cabalzarite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does maghrebite form in?+

Where it forms: From weathering Co-arsenides in a hydrothermal Co-Ni-As-(Cu-U-Mo) vein in an arid environment. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is maghrebite used for?+

Maghrebite is used in collector.

Find maghrebite on the map

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