Jensenite is a very rare copper tellurite mineral discovered in the oxidized zones of tellurium-rich ore deposits. It typically forms thin, sky-emerald-green drusy coatings on matrix and is highly prized by advanced micromount collectors.
Is this jensenite?
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 jensenite with a known reference. Jensenite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jensenite leaves a green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Jensenite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microcrystalline crusts, drusy coatings.
Often confused with
Jensenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Jensenite leaves green, Quetzalcoatlite leaves pale blue, almost white; luster reads adamantine on Jensenite and pearly to dull on Quetzalcoatlite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Jensenite leaves green, Sonoraite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Jensenite and vitreous on Sonoraite.
Often found alongside jensenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jensenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃Te⁶⁺O₆·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.76 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Green
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Microcrystalline Crusts, Drusy Coatings
- Cleavage
- On {101}, Fair
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Hydrothermal Veins
Where rockhounds find jensenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tombstone, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where jensenite typically forms. If you start seeing emmonsite, tellurite, quetzalcoatlite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microcrystalline crusts, drusy coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find jensenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
