| Paratacamite | |
|---|---|
Paratacamite from Cornwall, England | |
| General | |
| Category | Halide mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 |
| IMA symbol | Pata |
| Strunz classification | III / D.01-55 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Crystal class | Rhombohedral |
| Unit cell | a = 13,654, c = 14,041; |
| Identification | |
| Formula mass | 58.433 g/mol |
| Color | Green |
| Cleavage | Very good |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Mohs scale hardness | 3 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | Green |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 3.74 |
| Density | 3.74g/cm3 |
| Solubility | Acid-soluble |
| References | |
Paratacamite is a mineral in the halide minerals category. Its chemical formula is Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2. Its name is derived from its association with atacamite. Paratacamite was first described by Herbert Smith in 1906. The zincian endmember Cu3(Zn)(OH)6Cl2 is called herbertsmithite, and paratacamite is polymorphous with botallackite and atacamite.
It has been found in Chile, Botallack Mine in Cornwall, Broken Hill, Australia, and in Italy at Capo Calamita on the island of Elba.
See also
References
- ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- ^ a b "Paratacamite: Paratacamite mineral information and data". mindat.org. Retrieved 2017-09-20.
- ^ Smith, G.F.H.; Prior, G.T. (1906). "Paratacamite, a new oxychloride of copper". Mineralogical Magazine. 14: 170–177.
- ^ Braithwaite, RSW; Mereiter, K; Paar, WH; Clark, AM (1004). "Herbertsmithite, Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2, a new species, and the definition of paratacamite" (PDF). Mineralogical Magazine. 68: 527–539. doi:10.1180/0026461046830204.
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