Atacamita
Atacamita is a mineral with formula Cu₂Cl(OH)₃, in the Haluros group. This specimen comes from Mina La Estrella, Barranco Jaroso, Almería, Andalucía, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2024.
Description
Emerald-green atacamite crystals, very well defined and lustrous, lining the interior of a siderite cavity. Clean texture and orderly distribution on dark matrix.
History of this specimen
Meli collected it.
About Atacamita
A relatively rare secondary copper mineral that forms in arid, saline environments by oxidation of copper sulphides. Recognised by its emerald-green colour and vitreous lustre. It can be confused with brochantite, and may alter to malachite or chrysocolla.
About the locality
Though little known beyond the area, the locality is noted for occurrences of atacamite on dark matrix, with well-defined habits. The mine is no longer worked.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0033
- Composition
- Cu₂Cl(OH)₃
- Name
- Atacamita
- Group
- Haluros
- Category
- Cavella
- Matrix
- Siderita
- Mine
- Mina La Estrella
- District / Municipality
- Barranco Jaroso
- Province
- Almería
- Region
- Andalucía
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 5 x 3 x 4
- Weight
- 68 g
- Acquired
- 2024
- Ex-collection
- Amelia Molina
- Etymology
- Named in 1802 by Dmitri de Gallitzin after the Atacama Desert, its type locality.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España