Diegogattaite is a rare copper silicate mineral known for its distinctive yellow tabular crystal aggregates. It is primarily found within the manganese-rich environments of the Wessels Mine in South Africa, often occurring as delicate, thin plates.
Is this diegogattaite?
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 diegogattaite with a known reference. Diegogattaite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Diegogattaite leaves a very pale blue streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Diegogattaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale turquoise, teal blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates.
Often confused with
Diegogattaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Diegogattaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3-4); streak differs, so Diegogattaite leaves very pale blue, Cavansite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Diegogattaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3-4); streak differs, so Diegogattaite leaves very pale blue, Pentagonite leaves pale blue.
Often found alongside diegogattaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with diegogattaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂CaCu₂Si₈O₂₀·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Very Pale Blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Tabular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Manganese Deposits
Where rockhounds find diegogattaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wessels Mine, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in manganese deposits country, the host setting where diegogattaite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, sugilite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify diegogattaite?+
Where is diegogattaite found?+
What rocks look like diegogattaite?+
What minerals are found with diegogattaite?+
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Find diegogattaite on the map
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