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 — Spionkopite leaves black, Covellite leaves lead gray to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Spionkopite leaves black, Djurleite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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
How do you identify spionkopite?+
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Find spionkopite on the map
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