Cloncurryite is a rare copper vanadium aluminum phosphate that forms sky-blue aggregates of acicular crystals. It is a product of the weathering in silicified goethite-hematite gossan. Associated minerals include malachite, pseudomalachite and cuprite. It was first described from B Tangye lode, Great Australia mine, Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia.
Is this cloncurryite?
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 cloncurryite with a known reference. Cloncurryite 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. Cloncurryite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cloncurryite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: sky-blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates of acicular crystals.
Often confused with
Cloncurryite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cornwallite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Cloncurryite leaves white, Cornwallite leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cloncurryite leaves white, Clinoclase leaves bluish-green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cloncurryite leaves white, Lavendulan leaves pale blue.
Often found alongside cloncurryite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cloncurryite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₀.₅(VO)₀.₅Al₂(PO₄)₂F₂·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.525 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates of Acicular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Copper-arsenic Ore Deposits
Where rockhounds find cloncurryite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia
- Great Australia Mine, Queensland
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of copper-arsenic ore deposits country, the host setting where cloncurryite typically forms. If you start seeing malachite, goethite, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a aggregates of acicular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cloncurryite on the map
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