Zapatalite is an extremely rare secondary phosphate mineral typically found as small, vibrant blue powdery coatings or crusts within oxidized copper deposits. It was first described from the La Zapata mine in Sonora, Mexico, where it forms in association with other rare secondary minerals. Collectors prize it for its striking, intense blue color, though it is usually only found as micro-specimens.
Is this zapatalite?
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 zapatalite with a known reference. Zapatalite sits at Mohs 1.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: paler blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: microcrystalline aggregates, earthy crusts, powdery coatings.
Often confused with
Zapatalite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Turquoise is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 1.5); streak differs, so Zapatalite leaves paler blue, Turquoise leaves white to pale greenish blue; luster reads dull on Zapatalite and vitreous in crystals; dull to waxy if massive on Turquoise.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zapatalite leaves paler blue, Chrysocolla leaves white when pure; luster reads dull on Zapatalite and vitreous, porcelaneous, earthy on Chrysocolla.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zapatalite leaves paler blue, Vivianite leaves white, altering to dark blue, brown; luster reads dull on Zapatalite and vitreous, pearly on the cleavage, dull when earthy on Vivianite.
Often found alongside zapatalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zapatalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃Al₄(PO₄)₃(OH)₉·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5
- Density
- 3.016 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Paler blue
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Microcrystalline aggregates, earthy crusts, powdery coatings
- Cleavage
- {001}, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a hydrothermal base-metal prospect in silicified brecciated limestone
Where rockhounds find zapatalite
Classic worldwide localities
- Battle Mountain, Lander Co., Nevada, USA
- A prospect pit at the northwest end of Cerro Morita, about 27 km southwest of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico
- Miguel Vacas mine, Villa Viçosa, near Estremoz, Portugal
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a hydrothermal base-metal prospect in silicified brecciated limestone. If you start seeing libethenite, pseudomalachite, chrysocolla in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microcrystalline aggregates, earthy crusts, powdery coatings. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zapatalite?+
Where is zapatalite found?+
Is zapatalite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like zapatalite?+
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Find zapatalite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
