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
Specimen with a partial cavity coated with well-defined dark green acicular atacamite crystals, arranged in bundles on an earthy matrix. Vitreous lustre and characteristic intense colour.
History of this specimen
Meli collected it by hand in a secondary copper alteration setting. I value the depth given by the cavity, and the crystals are in excellent condition for observation with a hand lens.
About Atacamita
A relatively rare secondary copper mineral that forms in arid, saline environments by oxidation of copper sulphides. Recognised by its emerald-green to dark green colour and vitreous lustre. It can be confused with brochantite and can alter to malachite or chrysocolla.
About the locality
La Estrella Mine, Cuevas del Almanzora, is known for well-crystallised atacamite on earthy or dark matrices. It is not in active operation.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0427
- Internal reference
- T0034
- Composition
- Cu₂Cl(OH)₃
- Name
- Atacamita
- Group
- Haluros
- Category
- Cavella
- Matrix
- Matriz terrosa
- Mine
- Mina La Estrella
- District / Municipality
- Barranco Jaroso
- Province
- Almería
- Region
- Andalucía
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 5.5 x 3 x 3
- Weight
- 84 g
- Acquired
- 2024
- Ex-collection
- Amelia Molina
- Etymology
- Named in 1802 by Dmitri de Gallitzin after the Atacama Desert, its type locality.
- Quality
- De paso
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
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- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España