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, so Symplesite leaves white, Vivianite leaves white to light blue; luster reads pearly on Symplesite and vitreous on Vivianite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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.
