Ophirite is a rare calcium magnesium zinc oxide, typically orange-brown. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2013. It was first described from Ophir Hill Consolidated mine, Ophir district, Oquirrh Mountains, Tooele County, Utah, USA.
Is this ophirite?
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 ophirite with a known reference. Ophirite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ophirite leaves a pale orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ophirite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Ophirite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Conichalcite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Ophirite leaves pale orange, Conichalcite leaves light green.
How to tell apart: Austinite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4 vs. 2); streak differs, so Ophirite leaves pale orange, Austinite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Ophirite and subadamantine to silky on Austinite.
Often found alongside ophirite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ophirite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Mg₄[Zn₂Mn³⁺₂(H₂O)₂(Fe³⁺W₉O₃₄)₂]·46H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.060 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Orange
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Arsenic-rich Hydrothermal Deposits
Where rockhounds find ophirite
Classic worldwide localities
- Gold Hill Mine, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized arsenic-rich hydrothermal deposits country, the host setting where ophirite typically forms. If you start seeing arsenopyrite, scorodite, quartz 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
How do you identify ophirite?+
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What rocks look like ophirite?+
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Find ophirite on the map
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