Apachite is a rare hydrous copper silicate mineral typically found as delicate, pale blue acicular or fibrous clusters. It is almost exclusively found in association with other copper minerals in the oxidized zones of copper deposits in Arizona. Collectors prize it for its unique, icy blue color and characteristic radial growth habits.
Is this apachite?
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 apachite with a known reference. Apachite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Apachite leaves a light blue streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Apachite typically shows a silky luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, pale blue, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular clusters, fibrous, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Apachite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Apachite leaves light blue, Chrysocolla leaves white; luster reads silky on Apachite and vitreous on Chrysocolla.
How to tell apart: Shattuckite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Apachite leaves light blue, Shattuckite leaves blue.
How to tell apart: Planerite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Apachite leaves light blue, Planerite leaves white; luster reads silky on Apachite and dull to earthy on Planerite.
Often found alongside apachite
Minerals reported to co-occur with apachite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₅Si₆O₁₆(OH)₂·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light Blue
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Clusters, Fibrous, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Copper Deposits
Where rockhounds find apachite
Classic worldwide localities
- Christmas Mine, Arizona, USA
- Tiger, Arizona, USA
- Black Prince Mine, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal copper deposits country, the host setting where apachite typically forms. If you start seeing chrysocolla, shattuckite, azurite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular clusters, fibrous, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify apachite?+
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Find apachite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
