Aurichalcite
Mineral (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6
Take care.
- Fragile: Handle it gently and pack it well; it breaks or crumbles easily.
About it
Delicate tufts and sprays of pale blue-green needles with a silky to pearly shine, in zinc-copper oxide zones. Too soft and fragile to touch; Mapimí, Mexico, and Arizona's 79 mine give fine sprays.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Carbonate (with hydroxide)
- Formula
- (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 1–2
- Specific gravity
- 3.6–4.2
- Streak
- light blue
- Lustre
- silky, pearly
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Colours
- pale green, greenish blue, sky blue
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- perfect in one direction
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.