Stringhamite is a rare calcium copper silicate typically found as small, bright blue to blue-green tabular crystals. It is most famous for its occurrences in Utah, where it forms in cavities within skarn deposits and hydrothermal veins. Collectors prize it for its vibrant color and distinct crystal morphology.
Is this stringhamite?
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 stringhamite with a known reference. Stringhamite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stringhamite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stringhamite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, blue-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular, blocky crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Stringhamite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside stringhamite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stringhamite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaCu(SiO₄)·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular, Blocky Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Limestone
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find stringhamite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, USA
- Arbouet, France
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in limestone country — that is the host setting where stringhamite typically forms. If you start seeing fluorite, quartz, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular, blocky crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify stringhamite?+
Where is stringhamite found?+
How much is stringhamite worth?+
What rocks look like stringhamite?+
What minerals are found with stringhamite?+
What kind of rock does stringhamite form in?+
What is stringhamite used for?+
Find stringhamite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
