Redgillite is an extremely rare copper sulfate mineral typically found as tiny, vibrant green tabular crystals. It is primarily identified in the oxidation zones of polymetallic hydrothermal deposits, often forming crusts on or alongside other secondary copper minerals.
Is this redgillite?
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 redgillite with a known reference. Redgillite 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. Redgillite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Redgillite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Redgillite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Redgillite leaves pale green, Brochantite leaves pale-green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Redgillite leaves pale green, Posnjakite leaves pale blue.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Redgillite leaves pale green, Langite leaves pale blue.
Often found alongside redgillite
Minerals reported to co-occur with redgillite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄(SO₄)(OH)₆·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.32 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find redgillite
Classic worldwide localities
- Red Gill Mine, Cumbria, England
- Caldbeck Fells, England
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where redgillite typically forms. If you start seeing brochantite, linarite, malachite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find redgillite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
