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This Specimen has been sold.
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1.7" Purple Coquimbite Formation - Alcaparrosa Mine, Chile
This is a 1.7" wide section of purple coquimbite, collected from the Alcaparrosa Mine in Antofagasta, Chile. It was broken away from a large, massive formation of crystalline coquimbite. Beautiful translucency on this specimen.
It has been mounted to an acrylic display base with mineral tack.
It has been mounted to an acrylic display base with mineral tack.
About Coquimbite from the Alcaparrosa mine
Coquimbite is a rare, hydrated iron sulfate mineral, often found in arid environments. It typically forms as a secondary mineral in oxidized iron sulfide deposits and can be purple, greenish, or greenish-yellow in color. Coquimbite's name comes from the province of Coquimbo, Chile, where it was originally discovered. It is known for its prismatic crystals, but can also be found in massive form.
As of January 2025, closure of the Alcaparrosa mine occurred as a result of a giant hole appearing near the mine in 2022. It was 60+ meters deep and the Lundin Mining Corporation was subsequently fined 3+ billion CLP ($3.4M) for multiple environmental violations, including unauthorized infrastructure modifications, mineral over-extraction, and failure to comply with environmental permits. Closure was ordered and at the moment it is unknown if it will ever reopen.
Note: It's possible coquimbite can effloresce (lose water and crumble) in dry air.
General Chemical Formula - AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12·6H2O
Coquimbite is a rare, hydrated iron sulfate mineral, often found in arid environments. It typically forms as a secondary mineral in oxidized iron sulfide deposits and can be purple, greenish, or greenish-yellow in color. Coquimbite's name comes from the province of Coquimbo, Chile, where it was originally discovered. It is known for its prismatic crystals, but can also be found in massive form.
As of January 2025, closure of the Alcaparrosa mine occurred as a result of a giant hole appearing near the mine in 2022. It was 60+ meters deep and the Lundin Mining Corporation was subsequently fined 3+ billion CLP ($3.4M) for multiple environmental violations, including unauthorized infrastructure modifications, mineral over-extraction, and failure to comply with environmental permits. Closure was ordered and at the moment it is unknown if it will ever reopen.
Note: It's possible coquimbite can effloresce (lose water and crumble) in dry air.
General Chemical Formula - AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12·6H2O
SPECIES
Coquimbite
LOCATION
Alcaparrosa Mine, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile
SIZE
1.7" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#326590
