Symplesite is a secondary mineral typically formed by the oxidation of arsenic-bearing minerals like arsenopyrite. It is often found as delicate, prismatic blue-green crystals or fibrous radial aggregates, resembling the related mineral vivianite.
Is this symplesite?
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 symplesite with a known reference. Symplesite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Symplesite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Symplesite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, blue-green, green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Symplesite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Symplesite leaves white, Vivianite leaves white to light blue; luster reads pearly on Symplesite and vitreous on Vivianite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Symplesite leaves white, Erythrite leaves pale pink; luster reads pearly on Symplesite and adamantine to pearly on Erythrite.
Often found alongside symplesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with symplesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₃(AsO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 2.8-3.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-200 depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find symplesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Schneeberg, Germany
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
- Ojuela Mine, Mexico
- Llallagua, Bolivia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where symplesite typically forms. If you start seeing arsenopyrite, löllingite, siderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find symplesite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
