Huenite is a rare copper molybdate, typically dark reddish-brown. Associated minerals include lindgrenite, gypsum and tourmaline. It was first described from the San Samuel Mine, Copiapó Province, Atacama Region, Chile.
Is this huenite?
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 huenite with a known reference. Huenite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Huenite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Huenite typically shows a vitreous to adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Huenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Emmonsite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Huenite leaves white, Emmonsite leaves pale yellow; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Huenite and vitreous on Emmonsite.
How to tell apart: Huenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Huenite and subadamantine on Tellurite.
Often found alongside huenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with huenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄(MoO₄)₃(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 5.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Hydrothermal Deposits
Where rockhounds find huenite
Classic worldwide localities
- San Samuel Mine, Atacama Region, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal deposits country, the host setting where huenite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurite, emmonsite, paratellurite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find huenite on the map
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