How do I identify Diaboleite?

Diaboleite can be identified by its hardness of 2.5 on the Mohs scale, Blue color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Diaboleite?

Diaboleite typically appears in Blue. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Diaboleite?

Diaboleite has a hardness of 2.5 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a soft mineral that can be scratched easily.

Diaboleite

A variety of Minerals

What is Diaboleite?

Diaboleite is deep blue in color and pale blue in transmitted light. The mineral occurs as tabular crystals up to 2 cm (0.8 in) in size, as subparallel aggregates, or it has massive habit. Vicinal forms of the tabular crystals have a square or octagonal outline and rarely exhibit pyramidal hemihedralism.

Diaboleite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Diaboleite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Diaboleite Localities Map

See where Diaboleite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview

North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Formation of Diaboleite

Diaboleite occurs in manganese oxide ores, as a secondary mineral in lead and copper oxide ores, and in seawater-exposed slag. Diaboleite has been found in association with atacamite, boleite, caledonite, cerussite, chloroxiphite, hydrocerussite, leadhillite, mendipite, paratacamite, phosgenite, and wherryite. A study in 1986 synthesized diaboleite crystals up to 0.18 mm (0.0071 in) in size using two different methods. The study demonstrated that diaboleite is a low-temperature phase, that is stable under hydrothermal conditions at temperatures less than 100 to 170 °C (212 to 338 °F). At higher temperatures, the first stable mineral to form is cumengeite.