Guide
Libethenite specimens for sale
31 for sale · $55–$3,500 USD
59 in the gallery
Libethenite is a copper phosphate mineral that forms small, prismatic to tabular crystals and masses. It commonly displays a vitreous to resinous luster and a rich green color, often in well-formed crystal clusters or compact aggregates. Crystals may show waviness or slight zoning, reflecting variations in growth conditions, and specimens often occur with associated copper minerals. The best sources include copper-rich deposits in central Africa and nearby localities where hydrothermal processes deposited copper phosphate phases, yielding attractive, eyeglass-green to olive-green specimens.
- Formula
- Cu2(PO4)(OH)
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Moderate Interest
- Classification notes
- Phosphate mineral; Hydroxyphosphate (Cu2PO4(OH))
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- orthorhombic
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Specific gravity
- 3.6–3.8
- Luster
- vitreous, resinous
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent, opaque
- Color
- green, black
- Streak
- green
- Cleavage
- poor
- Fracture
- conchoidal, uneven
- Crystal habit
- prismatic, pyramidal, tabular, acicular, radiating, granular, massive
- Classic / historic
Buy Libethenite specimens
View all 31Where Libethenite is found
Top localities
- Nchanga Mine6 specimens
- Old Gunnislake Mine2 specimens
- Phoenix United Mine2 specimens
- Catfish No. 4 Occurrence1 specimen
- Copperbelt Province1 specimen
- East Gunnislake Mine1 specimen
- Live Oak pit1 specimen
- Mindouli1 specimen
- Morenci Mine1 specimen
- Musonoi Mine1 specimen
Guides
All guides
Guide
Libethenite from Ľubietová, Slovakia
Libethenite from Ľubietová, Slovakia — a type-locality specimen with sharp pseudo-octahedral crystals, preserved cavities, and classic collector appeal.Read guide
Guide
Libethenite from Phoenix United Mine, Cornwall, UK
Libethenite from Phoenix United Mine, Cornwall — dark bottle-green copper phosphate crystals with lustrous pseudo-octahedral forms and Cornish provenance.Read guide
Guide
Libethenite from Nchanga Mine, Zambia
Libethenite from Nchanga Mine, Zambia — dense drusy green dipyramids on copper matrix with malachite; notable for texture and historic Copperbelt collecting ap…Read guideAbout Libethenite
Collectors prize Libethenite for its vivid colour and relatively crisp crystal forms, which contrast well with darker gangue minerals. While common in矿物 collections, well-formed prisms or crystal groups from classic localities stand out in cabinet displays, and its distinctive hue makes it a popular educational piece for mineralogical study. The mineral’s occurrence alongside related phosphates and secondary copper minerals adds context about copper ore genesis and alteration, making Libethenite a meaningful addition to a focused mineral collection.
