Obradovicite-NaCu is an extremely rare arsenate-molybdate mineral typically found as a secondary mineral in oxidized hydrothermal deposits. Collectors usually find it as delicate yellow crystalline crusts or aggregates, primarily associated with major copper mining districts.
Is this obradovicite-nacu?
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-nacu with a known reference. Obradovicite-NaCu 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: very pale yellowish green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to subadamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellowish green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Obradovicite-NaCu vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside obradovicite-nacu
Minerals reported to co-occur with obradovicite-nacu. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- [Na₂(H₂O)₁₇Cu(H₂O)₆][Mo₈As₂Fe₃O₃₄(OH)₃]
- Mohs hardness
- ~2
- Density
- 2.967 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Very pale yellowish green
- Luster
- Vitreous to subadamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a Cu-Mo porphyry deposit, in sugary aggregates intermixed with fragmented quartz crystals embedded in a porous boxwork
Where rockhounds find obradovicite-nacu
Classic worldwide localities
- Chuquicamata, Antofagasta, Chile (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a Cu-Mo porphyry deposit, in sugary aggregates intermixed with fragmented quartz crystals embedded in a porous boxwork. If you start seeing obradovicite-kcu, quartz, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify obradovicite-nacu?+
Where is obradovicite-nacu found?+
Is obradovicite-nacu safe to handle?+
What rocks look like obradovicite-nacu?+
What minerals are found with obradovicite-nacu?+
What kind of rock does obradovicite-nacu form in?+
What is obradovicite-nacu used for?+
Find obradovicite-nacu on the map
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