Rosasite is an uncommon blue-green copper zinc carbonate that collectors keep as small specimens. It is soft, about 4 on the Mohs scale, and is seldom cut into beads. We do not carry it. Turquoise and African turquoise, a blue-green jasper, are the nearest we do.
Carbonate
Rosasite
Rosasita
- Palette
- Blue Green
- Mined in
- Mexico, Italy, Namibia, Morocco, United States
- Hardness
- Mohs 4.0–4.5 ?
- See-through
- opaque
- Known since
- 1908
- Named for
- the Rosas mine in Sardinia, Italy
- Also sold as
- blue rosasite
- Intention
- Strength
- Looking for
- Communication Confidence and self-worth
- Water
- Keep it dry; wipe with a soft cloth
- Dye or finish
- Rosasite is sold as natural collector specimens, rarely as beads. We found no bead-trade statement about dye or heat.
Not in our pieces now
3:2
Rosasite is a copper zinc carbonate in which copper and zinc occur in a ratio of 3 to 2.
4 VS 2
Rosasite is the harder of two blue-green look-alikes: it scores 4 on the Mohs scale and aurichalcite only 2.
MOUNTAIN BRASS
Aurichalcite, rosasite's look-alike, is named from Greek words for mountain brass or mountain copper, after the fabled metal orichalcum.
What it is
A blue to blue-green copper zinc carbonate that grows as velvety crusts, fibrous clusters and little balls, often on a rust-brown host rock. It is a soft collector mineral, usually kept as a specimen rather than cut into beads, and it looks much like malachite and aurichalcite.
Where it comes from
Rosasite was first found in the Rosas mine in Sardinia, Italy; fine specimens come from the Ojuela mine in Mexico, Tsumeb in Namibia, and Bisbee and other Arizona mines.
What's said about it
In crystal lore today, rosasite is a stone for speaking up. People keep it for honest, clear communication and for trusting their own judgment.
It is linked with the heart and the throat. People hold it over the heart while they meditate or keep it close on days when they have something important to say.
How people wear or keep it: Over the heart, in a pocket, on a desk, or close by when speaking.
In crystal practice
In the crystal tradition, rosasite is paired with the heart and throat chakras, so practitioners rest it there during meditation or lie down with it in place for a few quiet minutes. Day to day, the same tradition suggests keeping it close: over the heart, in a pocket, on a desk. People reach for it when they want communication, confidence and self-worth, and many set an intention when they put it on. Most practitioners cleanse a new stone first (running water only if the stone can take it, otherwise smoke or moonlight) and set it aside now and then to rest.
These are beliefs people have held and still hold about the stone, reported as such. Nothing here is a promise or a medical claim. We sell stones as jewelry, not for these effects.
Associations
The chakra and star sign this stone is usually matched with. These are popular traditions, not facts about the stone.
ChakraHeart, Throat
ZodiacVirgo
ElementWater
Also calledblue rosasite
Care
- Soft (about Mohs 4), so it scratches and chips easily; it suits a pendant or display piece better than a ring.
- Dust it with a soft dry brush or cloth. Skip water, soap, ultrasonic cleaners and steam.
- Keep away from acids, vinegar and household cleaners, which attack carbonate minerals.
- Store it apart from harder stones in a lined box.
- Rough copper minerals shed dust when cut or drilled, so wear a mask and work wet if you shape a piece.
How to tell what you have
- Real rosasite is a blue to green copper-zinc carbonate in velvety crusts, fibrous tufts or little balls, often on rust-red rock (4 on the Mohs scale).
- Aurichalcite looks very similar and is separated only by hardness or lab tests; copper dust is not for breathing, so keep cutting wet.
Questions people ask at our table
What is rosasite?
A copper zinc carbonate mineral that forms blue to green crusts and fibrous balls where copper and zinc ores weather. It is named for the Rosas mine in Sardinia.
Is it the same as malachite or turquoise?
No. Malachite is a copper carbonate and turquoise is a copper aluminum phosphate. Rosasite looks like malachite and is told from aurichalcite by being harder.
Can I get it as beads?
Rarely. It is soft and usually found in thin crusts, so it is sold mostly as mineral specimens. Blue-green beads sold under this name are worth questioning, since dyed howlite and other stones are often passed off as blue-green minerals.
Where does it come from?
Italy is the type locality, Tsumeb in Namibia is the famous source, and the Ojuela Mine in Mexico supplies many specimens. Morocco and the United States have produced it too.
How do I look after it?
Keep it dry and out of knocks. A soft dry brush is enough, and acids and cleaners will etch it.
Not in our pieces right now
Stones we do carry that are close to it are listed under related stones.
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