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Dominant species
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Aurichalcite
Aurichalcite
Chemical
Formula
(Zn,Cu)5[(OH)3|CO3]2
Species
Carbonates
Crystal
System
Monoclinic
Mohs
Scale
1-2
Specific
Gravity
3.96
Color
Pale green, greenish blue, sky-blue; colorless to pale blue, pale green in transmitted light
Streak
Light blue
Luster
Silky, Pearly
Refractive
Index
n = 1.655 n = 1.740 n = 1.744
Diaphaneity
Transparent
Cleavage
PerfectPerfect on and .
Fracture
Irregular/Uneven
Crystal Habit:Typically in tufted divergent sprays or spherical aggregates, may be in thick crusts; rarely columnar, laminated or granular
Geological Setting:A secondary mineral in oxidized copper and zinc ore deposits, typically as crusts.
Aurichalcite is a carbonate mineral, usually found as a secondary mineral in copper and zinc deposits. Its chemical formula is (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6. The zinc to copper ratio is about 5:4.

Occurrence

Auricalcite typically occurs in the oxidized zone of copper and zinc deposits. Associated minerals include: rosasite, smithsonite, hemimorphite, hydrozincite, malachite and azurite.

It was first described in 1839 by Bottger who named the mineral for its zinc and copper content after the Greek ?ρειχαλκο?, for "mountain brass" or "mountain copper", the name of a fabulous metal. The type locality is the Loktevskoye Mine, Upper Loktevka River, Rudnyi Altai, Altaiskii Krai, Western Siberia, Russia.