2.7" Rosasite, Aurichalcite and Calcite Association - Utah

This colorful specimen contains an association of colorless calcite crystals, blue-green botryoidal rosasite and blue-green fibrous aurichalcite. It was collected from the Hidden Treasure Mine in the Ophir District of Utah, a location that's well known for its zinc and copper mineral deposits.

Rosasite is a secondary mineral that forms in oxidation zones of copper-zinc deposits, generally forming a fibrous botryoidal sphere that can appear vitreous and silky. While typically featuring a blue-green color, colorless specimens are not unheard of. The chemical formula of rosasite is CuZnCO3(OH)2.

Aurichalcite (chemical formula (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6) is a secondary mineral that forms in the oxidation zones of copper and zinc ore deposits. It often forms as radiating, fuzzy-looking acicular blue-green crystals and linings along cavity walls.

Calcite, CaCO3, is a carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate. The other polymorphs are the minerals aragonite and vaterite. Calcite crystals are trigonal-rhombohedral, though actual calcite rhombohedra are rare as natural crystals. However, they show a remarkable variety of habits including acute to obtuse rhombohedra, tabular forms, and prisms. Calcite exhibits several twinning types adding to the variety of observed forms. It may occur as fibrous, granular, lamellar, or compact. Cleavage is usually in three directions parallel to the rhombohedron form.

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DETAILS
SPECIES
Rosasite, Aurichalcite & Calcite
LOCATION
Hidden Treasure Mine, Ophir District, Utah
SIZE
2.7 x 2.6"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#119540