Wheatleyite is an extremely rare organic mineral found as a secondary phase in lead-zinc hydrothermal deposits. It is best known for its occurrence in the Wheatley Mine, where it forms small, delicate tabular crystals alongside other lead minerals.

Hardness

1-2

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale blue

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Wheatleyite

Hardness: 1-2
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale blue
Transparency: Semitransparent

No image

Is this wheatleyite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch wheatleyite with a known reference. Wheatleyite sits at Mohs 1-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale blue.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often found alongside wheatleyite

Minerals reported to co-occur with wheatleyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂Cu(C₂O₄)₂·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: 1-2
Density: 2.27 g/cm³
Colors: Blue
Streak: Pale blue
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals
Cleavage: Perfect on {100}; two additionally observed optically
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Very rare, on a specimen found on the mine dumps of a Pb–Zn vein deposit

Where rockhounds find wheatleyite

Classic worldwide localities

Wheatley mine, near Phoenixville, Chester Co., Pennsylvania, USA

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Very rare, on a specimen found on the mine dumps of a Pb–Zn vein deposit. If you start seeing sphalerite, galena, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify wheatleyite?+

Mohs hardness is 1-2. Luster: vitreous. The streak is pale blue. Common colors include blue.

Where is wheatleyite found?+

Notable localities include Wheatley mine, near Phoenixville, Chester Co., Pennsylvania, USA.

Is wheatleyite safe to handle?+

Wheatleyite contains copper. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What minerals are found with wheatleyite?+

Wheatleyite commonly co-occurs with Sphalerite, Galena, Cerussite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does wheatleyite form in?+

Where it forms: Very rare, on a specimen found on the mine dumps of a Pb–Zn vein deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is wheatleyite used for?+

Wheatleyite is used in collector.

Find wheatleyite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.