Wuyanzhiite is a rare copper sulfide. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2017. It was first described from the Bofang copper mine (-65 m level), ~40 km south of Hengyang City, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Wuyanzhiite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this wuyanzhiite?

4-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 wuyanzhiite with a known reference. Wuyanzhiite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: red, orange, brown.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: granular.

Often confused with

Wuyanzhiite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Rhodonite

Mohs 5.5-6.5

How to tell apart: Rhodonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6.5 vs. 3-4).

How to tell apart: Bustamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6.5 vs. 3-4).

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Often found alongside wuyanzhiite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₂S
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Colors: Red Orange Brown
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Granular
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: metamorphic manganese deposits

Where rockhounds find wuyanzhiite

Classic worldwide localities

Bofang copper mine (-65 m level), ~40 km south of Hengyang City, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of China

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: metamorphic manganese deposits. If you start seeing quartz, rhodonite, spessartine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify wuyanzhiite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. Luster: vitreous. Common colors include red, orange, brown.

Where is wuyanzhiite found?+

Notable localities include Bofang copper mine (-65 m level), ~40 km south of Hengyang City, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of China.

Is wuyanzhiite safe to handle?+

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

What rocks look like wuyanzhiite?+

Wuyanzhiite is most often confused with Rhodonite, Bustamite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with wuyanzhiite?+

Wuyanzhiite commonly co-occurs with quartz, rhodonite, spessartine. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does wuyanzhiite form in?+

Where it forms: metamorphic manganese deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is wuyanzhiite used for?+

Wuyanzhiite is used in collector.

Find wuyanzhiite on the map

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