Scorodite is a secondary mineral commonly found in the oxidation zones of arsenic-bearing ore deposits. Collectors prize its sharp, often bipyramidal green to blue crystals, though it is frequently found as earthy or botryoidal masses.
Is this scorodite?
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 scorodite with a known reference. Scorodite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Scorodite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Scorodite typically shows a vitreous to sub-adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light green, pale blue, yellowish brown, violet, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, bipyramidal, crusts, botryoidal, earthy.
Often confused with
Scorodite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Scorodite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Scorodite leaves white, Vivianite leaves white to light blue; luster reads vitreous to sub-adamantine on Scorodite and vitreous on Vivianite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to sub-adamantine on Scorodite and adamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Scorodite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); luster reads vitreous to sub-adamantine on Scorodite and adamantine on Pharmacosiderite.
Often found alongside scorodite
Minerals reported to co-occur with scorodite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe³⁺AsO₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.1-3.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to Sub-adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Bipyramidal, Crusts, Botryoidal, Earthy
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {120}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Indicator Mineral
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Arsenic-rich Mineral Deposits
- Typical price
- $15-150 depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find scorodite
3 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb (Namibia)
- Ojuela Mine (Mexico)
- Kank (Czech Republic)
- Thomas Range (USA)
- Renison Bell (Australia)
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of arsenic-rich mineral deposits country — that is the host setting where scorodite typically forms. If you start seeing arsenopyrite, limonite, pharmacolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, bipyramidal, crusts, botryoidal, earthy habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New York, Utah, Washington — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find scorodite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
