Triazolite is an exceptionally rare organic mineral found in arid oxidation zones of copper deposits. It is best identified by its association with copper chlorides and its unique crystal structure, usually requiring laboratory confirmation for positive identification.
Is this triazolite?
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 triazolite with a known reference. Triazolite 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. Streak: blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: deep blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Triazolite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Atacamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Triazolite leaves blue, Atacamite leaves apple-green; luster reads vitreous on Triazolite and adamantine to vitreous on Atacamite.
How to tell apart: Paratacamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs, so Triazolite leaves blue, Paratacamite leaves green.
Often found alongside triazolite
Minerals reported to co-occur with triazolite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCu₂(N₃C₂H₂)₂(NH₃)₂Cl₃·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.028 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}; imperfect on {100} and {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In cavities near the contact of a guano deposit with the host rock in a desert
Where rockhounds find triazolite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pabellón de Pica Mountain, 1.5 km south of Chanabaya village, Iquique Province, Tarapacá Region, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In cavities near the contact of a guano deposit with the host rock in a desert. If you start seeing dittmarite, joanneumite, chanabayaite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify triazolite?+
Where is triazolite found?+
Is triazolite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like triazolite?+
What minerals are found with triazolite?+
What kind of rock does triazolite form in?+
What is triazolite used for?+
Find triazolite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
