Osarizawaite is a rare lead-copper aluminum sulfate mineral typically found as secondary crusts or powdery coatings in oxidized ore deposits. It is most easily identified by its distinct yellowish-green color and association with other secondary lead and copper minerals.
Is this osarizawaite?
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 osarizawaite with a known reference. Osarizawaite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: earthy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: encrustations.
Often confused with
Osarizawaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside osarizawaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with osarizawaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbCuAl₂(SO₄)₂(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.89-4.037 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light green
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Encrustations
- Cleavage
- None observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An uncommon mineral in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal Pb–Zn–Cu deposits
Where rockhounds find osarizawaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bisbee and Tombstone, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
- Omega mine, Helvetia, and at the Silver Hill mine, Waterman Mountains, Pima Co., Arizona, USA
- Fat Jack mine, Bradshaw Mountains, Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA
- Church Hills, Millard Co., Utah, USA
- Osarizawa copper mine, Kazuno, Akita Prefecture, Japan
- Mt. Edgar Station, 56 km east-southeast of Marble Bar, at Whim Creek, Pilbara district, and in the Teutonic Bore deposit, 300 km north of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An uncommon mineral in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal Pb–Zn–Cu deposits. If you start seeing anglesite, beaverite, hidalgoite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify osarizawaite?+
Where is osarizawaite found?+
Is osarizawaite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like osarizawaite?+
What minerals are found with osarizawaite?+
What kind of rock does osarizawaite form in?+
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Find osarizawaite on the map
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