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Aurichalcite has a beautiful intense green-blue color. Most specimens are composed of tiny needles which may rub off and leave a blue residue of tiny crystals on a surface. Because of its fragility, specimens should be handled as little as possible and washing them with water is not recommended as this will ruin them.
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Chemical Formula |
(Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
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Composition |
A basic carbonate of zinc and copper. (The ratio of zinc to copper is about 5:2) |
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Color |
Light blue, sky blue, blue-green, pale green |
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Streak |
Pale blue-green to white |
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Hardness |
2 |
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Crystal System |
Orthorhombic |
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates |
Usually occurs as a mat of tiny, thin, interwoven needles. Also occurs plumose, as crusts, as thin scales, radiating, botryoidal, and as tiny balls of radiating crystals. Individual crystals, which can rarely be seen with the naked eye, are usually elongated, and occasionally tabular. |
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Transparency |
Translucent |
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Specific Gravity |
3.6 - 4.2 |
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Luster |
Silky to pearly |
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Cleavage |
Indiscernible |
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Fracture |
Uneven |
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Tenacity |
Slightly flexible and sectile |
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Complex Tests |
Effervesces in dilute hydrochloric acid |
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In Group |
Carbonates; |
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Striking Features |
Color, crystal habits, fragility, and occurrences |
| Environment |
As a secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of zinc and copper sulfide deposits. |
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Popularity (1-4)
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3 |
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Prevalence (1-3)
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3 |
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Demand (1-3) |
2 |
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Aurichalcite is considered a natural brass ore, since it is composed of zinc and copper, the constituents of brass. However, it occurs much too sparingly, and there are no practical methods for brass to be extracted from it. It is, though, an ore of zinc and copper when found in mines where there exists workable deposits of these elements.
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Aurichalcite has been found in Chessy, France; Laurium, Greece; the Leadhills of Scotland; and in England in Matlock, Derbyshire and Caldbeck Fells (Cumbria). Other European occurrences are Campiglia Marittima, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy; and the Rohdenhaus Quarry, Wolfrath, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
The best specimens come from Mapimi, Durango, Mexico, associated with Hemimorphite and Adamite on a brown Limonite matrix.
In the U.S., good specimens come primarily from Arizona in the 79 Mine in Hayden, Gila Co.; the Copper Queen Mine in Bisbee, Cochise Co.; and from the Silver Hill Mine in Pima Co. Other important localities include Magdalena, Soccoro Co., New Mexico; the Hidden Treasure Mine and Stockton, Tooele Co., Utah; and the Keeler Mine, Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake Co., Utah. Also occurs in the Grand Deposit Mine of White Pine Co., Nevada; the Darwin District of Inyo Co., California; and the Tin Mountain Mine, Custer Co., South Dakota. Small amounts have also been reported at the Sterling Hill Mine in Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey.
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Aurichalcite's distinctive properties and occurrences distinguish it from basically every mineral.
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Have a question about Aurichalcite? Visit our Q&A Community and ask the experts!
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