Marklite is a rare copper carbonate. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2015. It was first described from dumps of the Friedrich-Christian mine, Black Forest Mts. (Schwarzwald), Baden-Würtenberg, Germany.
Is this marklite?
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 marklite with a known reference. Marklite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Marklite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Marklite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish, greenish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, prismatic, granular.
Often confused with
Marklite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside marklite
Minerals reported to co-occur with marklite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₅(CO₃)₂(OH)₆·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Prismatic, Granular
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Manganese Ore Deposits
Where rockhounds find marklite
Classic worldwide localities
- Friedrich-Christian mine, Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits country, the host setting where marklite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, baryte, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, prismatic, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify marklite?+
Where is marklite found?+
What rocks look like marklite?+
What minerals are found with marklite?+
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Find marklite on the map
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