Serpierite is a secondary copper mineral typically found as delicate, sky-blue radiating sprays or crusts in oxidized mine tailings. It is most famous from the ancient mining district of Lavrion, where it forms beautiful contrasty specimens on matrix.
Is this serpierite?
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 serpierite with a known reference. Serpierite 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. Streak: greenish white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, pearly on cleavages.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: sky blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: botryoidal, lath.
Often confused with
Serpierite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Serpierite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Serpierite leaves greenish white, Devilline leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Serpierite leaves greenish white, Posnjakite leaves pale blue.
Often found alongside serpierite
Minerals reported to co-occur with serpierite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaCu₄(SO₄)₂(OH)₆·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.07 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Greenish white
- Luster
- Vitreous, pearly on cleavages
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, lath
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal Cu–Zn-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits; commonly a post-mine product
Where rockhounds find serpierite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bulldog Mountain mine, Creede district, Mineral Co., at the Titusville mine, San Juan Co., and a number of other places, Colorado, USA
- Bay Horse mine, Challis, Custer Co., Idaho, USA
- Linchburg mine, nine km south of Magdalena, Socorro Co., New Mexico, USA
- Kamariza mine, Laurium, Greece
- Ross Island, Lough Leane, Co. Kerry, Ireland
- Waterbank mine, Ecton, Staffordshire, England
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal Cu–Zn-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits; commonly a post-mine product. If you start seeing smithsonite, devilline, posnjakite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: botryoidal, lath. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify serpierite?+
Where is serpierite found?+
Is serpierite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like serpierite?+
What minerals are found with serpierite?+
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Find serpierite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
