|
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(CO
3)
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.