Juangodoyite is a rare copper sodium carbonate mineral typically found in the oxidized zones of copper deposits. It occurs as small, colorless to white tabular crystals or aggregates and is primarily sought after by advanced mineral collectors specializing in rare species.
Is this juangodoyite?
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 juangodoyite with a known reference. Juangodoyite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: earthy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: pseudomorphous.
Often confused with
Juangodoyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Malachite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Juangodoyite leaves blue, Malachite leaves pale green; luster reads earthy on Juangodoyite and adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive on Malachite.
How to tell apart: Azurite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Juangodoyite leaves blue, Azurite leaves pale blue; luster reads earthy on Juangodoyite and vitreous to subadamantine on Azurite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Juangodoyite leaves blue, Mcguinnessite leaves white; luster reads earthy on Juangodoyite and vitreous to silky on Mcguinnessite.
Often found alongside juangodoyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with juangodoyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Cu(CO₃)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.984 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Blue
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Pseudomorphous
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of a polymetallic sulfide deposit
Where rockhounds find juangodoyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Santa Rosa mine, near Iquique, Atamaca desert, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of a polymetallic sulfide deposit. If you start seeing chalcotronite, sanrománite, malachite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: pseudomorphous. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find juangodoyite on the map
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