Bluebellite is a rare copper iodate that forms bright bluish green curved flattened plates. Associated minerals include murdochite, calcite and fluorite. It was first described from the D shaft, central Mojave Desert, California, USA.
Is this bluebellite?
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 bluebellite with a known reference. Bluebellite sits at Mohs 1, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bluebellite leaves a pale bluish green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bluebellite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright bluish green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: curved flattened plates.
Often confused with
Bluebellite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Dugganite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1); streak differs, so Bluebellite leaves pale bluish green, Dugganite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Teineite is the harder of the two (Mohs 2.5 vs. 1); streak differs, so Bluebellite leaves pale bluish green, Teineite leaves pale blue; luster reads adamantine on Bluebellite and vitreous on Teineite.
Often found alongside bluebellite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bluebellite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₆(IO₃)(OH)₁₀Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 1
- Density
- 4.746 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Bluish Green
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Curved Flattened Plates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Ore Deposits
Where rockhounds find bluebellite
Classic worldwide localities
- Grand Central mine, Arizona, USA
- Tombstone District, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing ore deposits country, the host setting where bluebellite typically forms. If you start seeing dugganite, jarosite, teineite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a curved flattened plates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bluebellite?+
Where is bluebellite found?+
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Find bluebellite on the map
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