Reichenbachite is a rare copper phosphate mineral that is a polymorph of pseudomalachite. It is most often identified by its dark green, botryoidal crusts found in the oxidized zones of copper deposits.
Is this reichenbachite?
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 reichenbachite with a known reference. Reichenbachite sits at Mohs ~3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: botryoidal, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Reichenbachite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pseudomalachite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. ~3.5).
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Reichenbachite and adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive on Malachite.
Often found alongside reichenbachite
Minerals reported to co-occur with reichenbachite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₅(PO₄)₂(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- ~3.5
- Density
- 4.370 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, crusts, radial aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal copper deposits
Where rockhounds find reichenbachite
Classic worldwide localities
- Binghampton, Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA
- Reichenbach, and at Gadernheim, near Bensheim, Hesse, Germany
- Old Gunnislake mine, Calstock, Cornwall, England
- L’ubietová, near Baňská Bystrica (Libethen, near Neusohl), Slovakia
- Miguel Vacas mine, Vila Viçosa, near Estremoz, Portugal
- Brown’s Prospect, Rum Jungle, Alligator River district, Northern Territory, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal copper deposits. If you start seeing pseudomalachite, malachite, duftite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: botryoidal, crusts, radial aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find reichenbachite on the map
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