Obradovicite-NaNa is a rare arsenate mineral characterized by its vibrant yellow, platy crystals. It typically forms in the hyper-arid oxidized environments of copper mines, appearing as delicate crusts or aggregate clusters.
Is this obradovicite-nana?
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-nana with a known reference. Obradovicite-NaNa 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, tabular aggregates.
Often confused with
Obradovicite-NaNa vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Obradovicite-NaNa leaves very pale yellowish green, Obradovicite-KCu leaves pale pea-green.
How to tell apart: Gartrellite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. ~2); streak differs, so Obradovicite-NaNa leaves very pale yellowish green, Gartrellite leaves bright yellow; luster reads vitreous to subadamantine on Obradovicite-NaNa and chalky on Gartrellite.
Often found alongside obradovicite-nana
Minerals reported to co-occur with obradovicite-nana. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- [Na₂(H₂O)₁₆Na(H₂O)₆][Mo₈As₂Fe₃O₃₃(OH)₄]
- Mohs hardness
- ~2
- Density
- 2.635 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Very pale yellowish green
- Luster
- Vitreous to subadamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, tabular aggregates
- 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-nana
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. If you start seeing quartz, muscovite, rutile in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find obradovicite-nana on the map
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