Paratooite-(La) is a rare copper-lanthanum carbonate mineral typically found as small, yellow, platy crystals or thin crusts. It is primarily known from the oxidized zones of copper deposits in South Australia, often associated with other secondary copper carbonates.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to pearly

Streak

Pale blue

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Paratooite-(La)

Hardness: 4
Luster: Vitreous to pearly
Streak: Pale blue
Transparency: Transparent

Is this paratooite-(la)?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch paratooite-(la) with a known reference. Paratooite-(La) sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale blue.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to pearly.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pale blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: aggregates, radial, wheat sheaf.

Often confused with

Paratooite-(La) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to pearly on Paratooite-(La) and adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive on Malachite.

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Often found alongside paratooite-(la)

Minerals reported to co-occur with paratooite-(la). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: (La,Ca,Na,Sr)₆Cu(CO₃)₈
Mohs hardness: 4
Density: 3.68 g/cm³
Colors: Pale blue
Streak: Pale blue
Luster: Vitreous to pearly
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Aggregates, radial, wheat sheaf
Cleavage: None observed, TEM suggests cleavage on {100}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A secondary weathering mineral in a mineralized dolomitic slatestone cut by chalcopyrite and magnetite-bearing quartz veins

Where rockhounds find paratooite-(la)

Classic worldwide localities

Paratoo Copper Mine, 30 km southwest of Yunta, on the western edge of the Olary Province, South Australia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A secondary weathering mineral in a mineralized dolomitic slatestone cut by chalcopyrite and magnetite-bearing quartz veins. If you start seeing kamphaugite-, donnayite-, bastnssite- in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, radial, wheat sheaf. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify paratooite-(la)?+

Mohs hardness is 4. Luster: vitreous to pearly. The streak is pale blue. Common colors include pale blue.

Where is paratooite-(la) found?+

Notable localities include Paratoo Copper Mine, 30 km southwest of Yunta, on the western edge of the Olary Province, South Australia.

Is paratooite-(la) safe to handle?+

Paratooite-(La) contains copper. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like paratooite-(la)?+

Paratooite-(La) is most often confused with Azurite, Malachite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with paratooite-(la)?+

Paratooite-(La) commonly co-occurs with Kamphaugite-, Donnayite-, Bastnssite-, Malachite, Nontronite, Limonite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does paratooite-(la) form in?+

Where it forms: A secondary weathering mineral in a mineralized dolomitic slatestone cut by chalcopyrite and magnetite-bearing quartz veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is paratooite-(la) used for?+

Paratooite-(La) is used in collector.

Find paratooite-(la) on the map

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