Wroewolfeite is a rare secondary copper sulfate mineral that typically forms delicate, platy crystals in oxidized zones of copper deposits. Collectors usually find it associated with other copper minerals like langite, often appearing as distinct, thin, sky-blue laths. Its perfect cleavage and pearly luster are key diagnostic features, though it is often difficult to distinguish from its polymorphs without laboratory analysis.
Is this wroewolfeite?
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 wroewolfeite with a known reference. Wroewolfeite sits at Mohs ~2.5, 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, dark greenish blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: encrustations.
Often confused with
Wroewolfeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside wroewolfeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wroewolfeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄SO₄(OH)₆·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~2.5
- Density
- 3.27 g/cm³
- Colors
- Greenish blueDark greenish blue
- Streak
- Pale blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Encrustations
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}, {100}, {001}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of copper-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits; may be post-mine or formed in dumps and in slags
Where rockhounds find wroewolfeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Loudville mine, Southampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, USA
- Cumpas, Sonora, Mexico
- Ladywell mine, Shelve, Shropshire, Wales
- Nantycagl (Eaglebrook) mine, Ceulanymaesmawr, in the Penrhiw mine, Ystumtuen, and the Frongoch mine, Dyfed, Wales
- Drws-y-Coed mine, Llandwrog, Gwynedd, Wales
- West Blackcraig mine, near Newton Stewart, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of copper-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits; may be post-mine or formed in dumps and in slags. If you start seeing langite, posnjakite, serpierite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify wroewolfeite?+
Where is wroewolfeite found?+
Is wroewolfeite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like wroewolfeite?+
What minerals are found with wroewolfeite?+
What kind of rock does wroewolfeite form in?+
What is wroewolfeite used for?+
Find wroewolfeite on the map
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