Papagoite is a rare copper silicate mineral famous for its intense, vivid blue color that occurs in hydrothermal copper deposits. It is most frequently found as inclusions within quartz crystals, creating highly prized 'papagoite-in-quartz' specimens for collectors.
Is this papagoite?
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 papagoite with a known reference. Papagoite 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. Papagoite leaves a pale blue streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Papagoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright blue, sky blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, massive.
Often confused with
Papagoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Papagoite leaves pale blue, Chrysocolla leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Papagoite leaves pale blue, Azurite leaves light blue; luster reads vitreous on Papagoite and vitreous to dull on Azurite.
How to tell apart: Turquoise is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3-4); streak differs — Papagoite leaves pale blue, Turquoise leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Papagoite and waxy on Turquoise.
Often found alongside papagoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with papagoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaCuAlSi₂O₆(OH)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Porphyry Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail, $500+ cabinet specimen
Where rockhounds find papagoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ajo, Pima County, Arizona, USA
- Messina, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in porphyry copper deposits country — that is the host setting where papagoite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, ajoite, copper in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find papagoite on the map
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