Salesite is a rare copper iodate that forms bluish green short prismatic crystals. It is a rare mineral in the oxidized zone of a copper porphyry deposit. It is associated with kaolin and quartz. It was first described from Chuquicamata, Antofagasta, Chile.
Is this salesite?
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 salesite with a known reference. Salesite 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. Streak: light green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue green, dark green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic.
Often confused with
Salesite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Salesite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Salesite leaves light green, Ludlockite leaves pale brown; luster reads vitreous on Salesite and subadamantine on Ludlockite.
How to tell apart: Hemimorphite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Salesite leaves light green, Hemimorphite leaves white.
Often found alongside salesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with salesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu(IO₃)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.77 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {101}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare mineral in the oxidized zone of a copper porphyry deposit
Where rockhounds find salesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chuquicamata, Antofagasta, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare mineral in the oxidized zone of a copper porphyry deposit. If you start seeing kaolin, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify salesite?+
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What rocks look like salesite?+
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Find salesite on the map
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