Paratacamite is a secondary copper mineral that typically forms as a crust or crystalline coating within oxidized zones of copper-rich hydrothermal deposits. It is often visually indistinguishable from atacamite without analytical testing and is prized by mineral collectors for its vibrant, rich green colors.
Is this paratacamite?
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 paratacamite with a known reference. Paratacamite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Paratacamite leaves a apple green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Paratacamite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, bright green, emerald green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, crystalline aggregates, massive.
Often confused with
Paratacamite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine on Paratacamite and adamantine to vitreous on Atacamite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Paratacamite leaves apple green, Botallackite leaves pale green; luster reads adamantine on Paratacamite and vitreous on Botallackite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Paratacamite leaves apple green, Malachite leaves light green; luster reads adamantine on Paratacamite and vitreous on Malachite.
Often found alongside paratacamite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paratacamite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃(OH)₃Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- Apple Green
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Rhombohedral Crystals, Crystalline Aggregates, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $15-150 per specimen
Where rockhounds find paratacamite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chile
- United States
- Mexico
- Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized copper deposits country, the host setting where paratacamite typically forms. If you start seeing atacamite, chrysocolla, brochantite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rhombohedral crystals, crystalline aggregates, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify paratacamite?+
Where is paratacamite found?+
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What rocks look like paratacamite?+
What minerals are found with paratacamite?+
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Find paratacamite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
