Spionkopite is a rare copper sulfide mineral typically found as a supergene alteration product in copper deposits. It is often indistinguishable from covellite without X-ray diffraction, usually appearing as indigo-blue to black platy aggregates or thin crusts.
Is this spionkopite?
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 spionkopite with a known reference. Spionkopite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Spionkopite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Spionkopite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: indigo, dark blue, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates, coatings.
Often confused with
Spionkopite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Spionkopite leaves black, Covellite leaves lead gray to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Spionkopite leaves black, Djurleite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Spionkopite leaves black, Chalcocite leaves lead-gray to black.
Often found alongside spionkopite
Minerals reported to co-occur with spionkopite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃₉S₂₈
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 5.65 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Granular Aggregates, Coatings
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Mineralogical Study
- Host rock
- Supergene Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find spionkopite
Classic worldwide localities
- Spionkop Copper Mine, South Africa
- Leonard Mine, Butte, USA
- Chino Mine, New Mexico, USA
- Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in supergene copper deposits country, the host setting where spionkopite typically forms. If you start seeing covellite, djurleite, chalcocite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular aggregates, coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find spionkopite on the map
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