Name/Title
AurichalciteEntry/Object ID
2009.62.36Description
Chemical Composition: (Zn, Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6
Crystal System: Orthorhombic System
Description: Common Name: Aurichalcite
Chemistry: (Zn, Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6, Zinc Copper Carbonate Hydroxide
Group: Carbonates
Location: Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona
Description: Crystals are light blue to aqua or a blue-green color, the crystal are acicular or fibrous in shape on a limenite matrix
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is usually a grass green but varies from white to green to greenish blue to light blue.
Luster is silky to fibrous or pearly on more massive specimens.
Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is orthorhombic; 2 2 2
Crystal Habits include radiating tufts of acicular crystals. also encrustations of fiberous or lamellar masses.
Hardness is 1 - 2
Specific Gravity is 3.6 - 4 (above average for non-metallic minerals)
Cleavage is perfect in one direction.
Fracture is uneven or fiberous.
Streak is white to pale shades that depend on color.
Associated Minerals include limonite, smithsonite, azurite, malachite, rosasite and calcite.
Other Characteristics: effervesceses easily in cold dilute hydrochloric acid.
Best Field Indicators are crystal habits, color, associations, softness and reaction to acid
Fracture: uneven
Hardness: 1 Talc
Luster: Silky
Occurrence: Aurichalcite is a carbonate which forms in the oxidation zones of zinc-copper deposits, usually found as a secondary mineral in copper and zinc deposits. Crystals are acicular or fibrous and found in tufted aggregates.
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Specific Gravity: 3.6-4
Streak: white
Texture: microcrystaline
Variety: Aurichalcite will at times partially cover red limonite and be associated with such colorful minerals as azurite, smithsonite and malachite. Specimens of aurichalcite certainly make for colorful "landscape" specimens.Collection
RAGM Mineral CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2009.62Source or Donor
Museum Collection of MineralsAcquisition Method
DonationDimensions
Width
10 inDepth
4 inLength
8 inWeight
15.74 ozDimension Notes
Dimension taken at widest pointsLocation
Location
Container
RightDrawer
BottomShelf
Center, CenterWall
South wallRoom
Delmar Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
PermanentMoved By
Wendy MondryDate
January 12, 2010Location
Container
CenterDrawer
3rd ShelfShelf
LeftCabinet
Case #37Wall
East WallBuilding
Freida Smith HallCategory
Permanent