Mojaveite is a copper tellurium hydroxide that forms sky-blue to medium greenish blue curved flattened plates. Associated minerals include cerussite, chrysocolla and khinite. It was first described from the E pit, Blue Bell claims, Soda Mountains, 11 km west of Baker, California, USA.
Is this mojaveite?
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 mojaveite with a known reference. Mojaveite sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Mojaveite leaves a pale greenish blue streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Mojaveite typically shows a adamantine to pearly to dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: sky-blue, medium greenish blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: curved flattened plates.
Often confused with
Mojaveite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mojaveite leaves pale greenish blue, Jasper leaves white; luster reads adamantine to pearly to dull on Mojaveite and waxy on Jasper.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mojaveite leaves pale greenish blue, Agate leaves white; luster reads adamantine to pearly to dull on Mojaveite and waxy on Agate.
Often found alongside mojaveite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mojaveite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₆[Te⁶⁺O₄(OH)₂](OH)₇Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 4.886 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Greenish Blue
- Luster
- Adamantine to Pearly to Dull
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Curved Flattened Plates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {0001}
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector
- Host rock
- Volcanic Rhyolite
Where rockhounds find mojaveite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mojave Desert
- California
- Nevada
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic rhyolite country, the host setting where mojaveite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a curved flattened plates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify mojaveite?+
Where is mojaveite found?+
What rocks look like mojaveite?+
What minerals are found with mojaveite?+
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Find mojaveite on the map
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