Parasymplesite is a rare hydrated iron arsenate belonging to the vivianite group, prized by mineral collectors for its vibrant blue color. It typically occurs as small, delicate prismatic crystals or radial sprays within the oxidized zones of arsenic-rich ore deposits. Due to its softness and susceptibility to dehydration, it requires careful handling and storage away from direct heat and light.
Is this parasymplesite?
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 parasymplesite with a known reference. Parasymplesite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: very pale blue or green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to waxy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: greenish blue, light greenish blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, radial.
Often confused with
Parasymplesite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Parasymplesite leaves very pale blue or green, Vivianite leaves white, altering to dark blue, brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Parasymplesite leaves very pale blue or green, Symplesite leaves pale bluish.
Often found alongside parasymplesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with parasymplesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₃(AsO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.07-3.12 g/cm³
- Colors
- Greenish blueLight greenish blue
- Streak
- Very pale blue or green
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, radial
- Cleavage
- On {010}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxide zone of some arsenic-rich hydrothermal base-metal mineral deposits
Where rockhounds find parasymplesite
Classic worldwide localities
- White Elephant mine, near Pringle, Pennington Co., South Dakota, USA
- Kiura mine, Oita Prefecture, Japan
- Kaatiala pegmatite, Kuortane, Finland
- Glück Auf mine, Rauenthal, near Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, Haut-Rhin, France
- Richelsdorf Mountains, Hesse, Germany
- St. Andreasberg, Harz Mountains, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxide zone of some arsenic-rich hydrothermal base-metal mineral deposits. If you start seeing symplesite, köttigite, pharmacosiderite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify parasymplesite?+
Where is parasymplesite found?+
Is parasymplesite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like parasymplesite?+
What minerals are found with parasymplesite?+
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Find parasymplesite on the map
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