Trippkeite is a rare secondary copper arsenite mineral typically found in the oxidized zones of hydrothermal deposits. Collectors look for its characteristic blue to blue-green transparent tabular crystals often found perched on matrix specimens with other copper arsenates.
Is this trippkeite?
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 trippkeite with a known reference. Trippkeite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: greenish blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: short prismatic to tabular crystals, often as crusts.
Often confused with
Trippkeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Trippkeite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Trippkeite leaves pale blue, Lavendulan leaves light blue.
How to tell apart: Trippkeite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Trippkeite leaves pale blue, Clinoclase leaves bluish green.
Often found alongside trippkeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with trippkeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuAs₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 4.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Short prismatic to tabular crystals, often as crusts
- Cleavage
- {100}, perfect; {110}, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a copper deposit
Where rockhounds find trippkeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Copiapo, Atacama, Chile (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a copper deposit. If you start seeing cuprite, malachite, olivenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: short prismatic to tabular crystals, often as crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify trippkeite?+
Where is trippkeite found?+
Is trippkeite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like trippkeite?+
What minerals are found with trippkeite?+
What kind of rock does trippkeite form in?+
What is trippkeite used for?+
Find trippkeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
