Salesite is a rare copper iodate that forms bluish green short prismatic crystals. It is a rare mineral in the oxidized zone of a copper porphyry deposit. It is associated with kaolin and quartz. It was first described from Chuquicamata, Antofagasta, Chile.
Is this salesite?
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 salesite with a known reference. Salesite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Salesite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Salesite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bluish green, deep green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: short prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Salesite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Salesite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Salesite leaves white, Ludlockite leaves pale brown; luster reads vitreous on Salesite and subadamantine on Ludlockite.
How to tell apart: Hemimorphite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3).
Often found alongside salesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with salesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu(IO₃)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.77 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Short Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {101}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Copper Deposits
Where rockhounds find salesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chuquicamata Mine, Chile
- Bingham, New Mexico, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of copper deposits country, the host setting where salesite typically forms. If you start seeing cuprite, chrysocolla, dietzeite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a short prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find salesite on the map
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