TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Roselita

Roselita is a mineral with formula Ca₂Co(AsO₄)₂·2H₂O, in the Arseniatos group. This specimen comes from Distrito de Bou Azzer, Tazenakht, Ouarzazate, Drâa-Tafilalet, Marruecos.

Roselita from Distrito de Bou Azzer, Tazenakht, Ouarzazate, Drâa-Tafilalet, Marruecos — Terrium

Description

Deep cavity lined with fuchsia to wine-red roselite crystals. Crystals in radial sheaves. Excellent condition, no damage or fractures.

About Roselita

Roselite is a hydrated calcium–cobalt arsenate, valued for its intense pink–fuchsia colour. At Bou Azzer it occurs as well-formed crystals with highly saturated colour and associations that have made the locality a classic reference for the species. It represents the cobalt-rich end-member of the roselite–wendwilsonite series: the two minerals share the same crystal structure but differ in the dominant cation, cobalt in roselite and magnesium in wendwilsonite.

About the locality

The Bou Azzer mining district is one of the world's best known localities for cobalt minerals. Its geodes rich in arsenic minerals such as roselite, erythrite or skutterudite are prized worldwide.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0085
Composition
Ca₂Co(AsO₄)₂·2H₂O
Name
Roselita
Group
Arseniatos
Category
Cavella
Mine
Distrito de Bou Azzer
District / Municipality
Tazenakht
Province
Ouarzazate
Region
Drâa-Tafilalet
Country
Marruecos
Size (cm)
7 x 5 x 4
Weight
108.2 g
Ex-collection
Diego Navarro
Etymology
Named in honour of the German mineralogist Gustav Rose.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Al alza

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