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 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Trippkeite leaves a pale blue streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Trippkeite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, blue-green, green.
- 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.
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
- 3-4
- Density
- 5.45 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Short Prismatic to Tabular Crystals, Often as Crusts
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {111}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Copper-arsenic Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find trippkeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cap Garonne, France
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Gold Hill, Utah, USA
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of copper-arsenic deposits country — that is the host setting where trippkeite typically forms. If you start seeing azurite, malachite, conichalcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a short prismatic to tabular crystals, often as crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify trippkeite?+
Where is trippkeite found?+
How much is trippkeite worth?+
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.
