Name/Title
ChalcanthiteEntry/Object ID
78.63.137Description
About Chalcanthite
Formula: CuSO4 · 5H2O
Colour: Green, green blue, light blue, or dark blue; colourless to pale blue in transmitted light.
Lustre: Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness: 2½
Specific Gravity: 2.286
Crystal System: Triclinic
Member of: Chalcanthite
GroupName: From the Greek chalkos, "copper" and anthos, "flower."Type Locality:ⓘ Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile
Chalcanthite Group.
Copper analogue of siderotil and pentahydrite.
Chalcanthite is natural, water-soluble copper sulphate pentahydrate. It is a secondary mineral that is formed in arid climates or in rapidly oxidizing copper deposits. It is usually of post-mining formation, forming on mine walls and by the action of acidic surface waters on veins of copper ore.
CAUTION: Many, usually well-crystallised chalcanthite specimens offered for sale (e.g. on-line auctions), are artificially grown.Location
Location
Display Case
FS-16Room
Frieda Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
ExhibitMoved By
Jillian Mather KettleyDate
January 28, 2025Notes
Location/ inventoryLocation
Display Case
FS-4-ARoom
Frieda Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumDate
January 4, 2024