Ramazzoite is a rare magnesium copper phosphate, typically blue to greenish blue. It is a late-stage, secondary mineral hosted in serpentinite in contact with basalt dikes and pillow lavas. It was first described from Monte Ramazzo mine, near Genova, Liguria, Italy.
Is this ramazzoite?
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 ramazzoite with a known reference. Ramazzoite 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. Ramazzoite leaves a pale blue streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ramazzoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, greenish blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: platy crystals, pseudo-hexagonal.
Often confused with
Ramazzoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ramazzoite leaves pale blue, Hydrotalcite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Ramazzoite and greasy to waxy on Hydrotalcite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ramazzoite leaves pale blue, Meixnerite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Ramazzoite and pearly on Meixnerite.
Often found alongside ramazzoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ramazzoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- [Mg₈Cu₁₂(PO₄)(CO₃)₄(OH)₂₄(H₂O)₂₀][(H₀.₃₃SO₄)₃(H₂O)₃₆]
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 1.98 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Pseudo-hexagonal
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Limestone Xenoliths in Volcanic Rocks
Where rockhounds find ramazzoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Monte Ramazzo mine, Liguria, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed limestone xenoliths in volcanic rocks country, the host setting where ramazzoite typically forms. If you start seeing ettringite, afwillite, portlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, pseudo-hexagonal habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ramazzoite?+
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What rocks look like ramazzoite?+
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Find ramazzoite on the map
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