Strashimirite is a rare secondary copper arsenate typically found as delicate, radiating sprays of acicular crystals or soft globular aggregates. It is best identified in the field by its distinct pale green color and its association with other copper minerals in the oxidized zones of ore deposits.
Is this strashimirite?
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 strashimirite with a known reference. Strashimirite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Strashimirite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Strashimirite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, pale green, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular, radiating sprays, globular.
Often confused with
Strashimirite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Strashimirite leaves white, Clinoclase leaves bluish-green; luster reads pearly on Strashimirite and vitreous on Clinoclase.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Strashimirite leaves white, Cornubite leaves pale green; luster reads pearly on Strashimirite and vitreous on Cornubite.
Often found alongside strashimirite
Minerals reported to co-occur with strashimirite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₈(AsO₄)₄(OH)₄·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, Radiating Sprays, Globular
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Copper-arsenic Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for micro-mounts and small specimens
Where rockhounds find strashimirite
Classic worldwide localities
- Strashimir mine, Bulgaria
- Majuba Hill, Nevada, USA
- Cornwall, England
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal copper-arsenic deposits country — that is the host setting where strashimirite typically forms. If you start seeing clinoclase, cornubite, olivenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular, radiating sprays, globular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find strashimirite on the map
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