Obradovicite-KCu is a rare arsenate mineral that forms as a secondary product in the oxidation zones of copper-arsenic deposits. It typically presents as small pea-green platy crystals or fine-grained crusts and is best identified through chemical analysis or its specific paragenesis.
Is this obradovicite-kcu?
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 obradovicite-kcu with a known reference. Obradovicite-KCu sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale pea-green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to subadamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pea-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, pulverulent.
Often confused with
Obradovicite-KCu vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Obradovicite-KCu leaves pale pea-green, Clinoclase leaves bluish green.
How to tell apart: Mansfieldite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Obradovicite-KCu leaves pale pea-green, Mansfieldite leaves white.
Often found alongside obradovicite-kcu
Minerals reported to co-occur with obradovicite-kcu. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- [K₂(H₂O)₁₇Cu(H₂O)₆][Mo₈As₂Fe₃O₃₄(OH)₃]
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pea-green
- Streak
- Pale pea-green
- Luster
- Vitreous to subadamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, crusts, pulverulent
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a Cu-Mo porphyry deposit
Where rockhounds find obradovicite-kcu
Classic worldwide localities
- Chuquicamata, Antofagasta, Chile (type locality) and the Port Darwin mining district, Northern Territory, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a Cu-Mo porphyry deposit. If you start seeing obradovicite-nacu, jarosite, wulfenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, pulverulent. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find obradovicite-kcu on the map
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