Veszelyite is a striking, rare copper-zinc phosphate known for its deep blue-green to emerald green color and high-luster crystals. It typically forms in the oxidized zones of ore deposits where it is often associated with other copper minerals. Collectors prize it for its unique, complex crystal habits and intense, saturated color.
Is this veszelyite?
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 veszelyite with a known reference. Veszelyite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: green to white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue green, green, dark blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: equant grains, massive, tabular.
Often confused with
Veszelyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Veszelyite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 1-2); streak differs, so Veszelyite leaves green to white, Aurichalcite leaves light blue; luster reads vitreous on Veszelyite and silky to pearly on Aurichalcite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Veszelyite leaves green to white, Hemimorphite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Veszelyite leaves green to white, Malachite leaves pale green; luster reads vitreous on Veszelyite and adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive on Malachite.
Often found alongside veszelyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with veszelyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Cu,Zn)₂Zn(PO₄)(OH)₃·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Green to white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Equant grains, massive, tabular
- Cleavage
- On {001} and {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of some base-metal mineral deposits
Where rockhounds find veszelyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Black Pine mine, near Philipsburg, Granite Co., Montana, USA
- Gold Hill, Tooele Co., Utah, USA
- Zdravo Vrelo, near Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Straitstep vein, Wanlockhead, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
- Kipushi, 28 km southwest of Lubumbashi, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
- Kabwe (Broken Hill), Zambia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of some base-metal mineral deposits. If you start seeing pseudomalachite, malachite, hemimorphite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant grains, massive, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find veszelyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
