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Natrochalcite

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Natrochalcite

Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile
Natrochalcite

Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile
Natrochalcite

Copiapó Province, Atacama, Chile
Natrochalcite

Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile
Natrochalcite

Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile
Natrochalcite

Copiapó Province, Atacama, Chile
Natrochalcite

Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile
Natrochalcite

Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile
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About NatrochalciteHide

Formula:
NaCu2(SO4)2(OH) · 2H2O
Colour:
Bright green; green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
3.47 - 3.51
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In allusion to the composition, containing sodium (Latin = NATRium) and copper (CHALCo-)
Tsumcorite Group.


Classification of NatrochalciteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Strunz 8th ed.:
6/D.18-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) ed.:
7.DF.15

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
F : With large and medium-sized cations
Dana 8th ed.:
31.8.1.1

31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
8 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:
25.2.12

25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag

Physical Properties of NatrochalciteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Bright green; green in transmitted light.
Streak:
Greenish white
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}, perfect.
Density:
3.47 - 3.51 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.54 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of NatrochalciteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.649 nβ = 1.655 nγ = 1.714
2V:
Measured: 36° , Calculated: 38°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.065
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r < v strong

Chemical Properties of NatrochalciteHide

Formula:
NaCu2(SO4)2(OH) · 2H2O
IMA Formula:
NaCu2(SO4)2(OH) · H2O
Elements listed:
Cu, H, Na, O, S - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of NatrochalciteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Morphology:
Crystals pyramidal {111}. {110} commonly well-developed, but faces of the remaining forms are usually small and often not present in their full complement; cross-fiber veinlets.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Type Occurrence of NatrochalciteHide

Other Language Names for NatrochalciteHide

Relationship of Natrochalcite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Tsumcorite Group
Other Members of this group:
CabalzariteCa(Mg,Al,Fe3+)2(AsO4)2(OH,H2O)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
CobaltlotharmeyeriteCa(Co,Fe3+,Ni)2(AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
CobalttsumcoritePb(Co,Fe3+,Ni)2(AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
FerrilotharmeyeriteCa(Fe3+,Zn)2(AsO4)2 · 2(OH,H2O)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
GartrellitePb(Cu,Fe3+,Zn)2(AsO4,SO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH)Tric. 1 : P1
HelmutwinkleritePb(Zn,Cu)2(AsO4)2 · 2H2OTric.
KaliochalciteKCu2(SO4)2[(OH)(H2O)]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
KrettnichitePbMn3+2(VO4)2(OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
LotharmeyeriteCa(Zn,Mn3+)2(AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
LukrahniteCa(Cu,Zn)(Fe3+,Zn)(AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH)Tric. 1 : P1
ManganlotharmeyeriteCaMn3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
MawbyitePb(Fe3+,Zn)2(AsO4)2 · 2(OH,H2O)Mon.
MounanaitePbFe3+2(VO4)2(OH,F)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
NickellotharmeyeriteCa(Ni,Fe3+,Co)2(AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
Nickelschneebergite(Bi3+,Ca)(Ni,Co,Fe3+)2(AsO4)2 · 2(OH,H2O)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
NickeltsumcoritePb(Ni,Fe3+)2(AsO4)2(H2O,OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
PhosphogartrellitePb(Cu,Fe3+)2(PO4,AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH)Tric.
RappolditePb(Co,Ni,Zn)2(AsO4)2 · 2H2OTric.
Schneebergite(Bi3+,Ca)(Co,Ni,Fe3+)2(AsO4)2(OH,H2O)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
ThometzekitePbCu2+2(AsO4)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
TsumcoritePbZn2(AsO4)2 · 2H2OMon.
YancowinnaitePbCuAl(AsO4)2OH · H2O Tric. 1 : P1
ZincgartrellitePb(Zn,Fe3+,Cu)2(AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH)Tric. 1 : P1

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Kröhnkite7 photos of Natrochalcite associated with Kröhnkite on mindat.org.
Leightonite4 photos of Natrochalcite associated with Leightonite on mindat.org.
Copper1 photo of Natrochalcite associated with Copper on mindat.org.
Paratacamite1 photo of Natrochalcite associated with Paratacamite on mindat.org.

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz GroupingHide

7.DF.Aldridgeite(Cd,Ca)(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O Mon. 2/m : B2/b
7.DF.AlcaparrosaiteK3Ti4+Fe3+(SO4)4O(H2O)2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
7.DF.05UklonskoviteNaMg(SO4)F · 2H2OMon.
7.DF.10KainiteKMg(SO4)Cl · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.DF.20MetasideronatriteNa2Fe(SO4)2(OH) · H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
7.DF.20SideronatriteNa2Fe(SO4)2(OH) · 3H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
7.DF.25DespujolsiteCa3Mn4+(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OHex. 6 m2 : P62c
7.DF.25FleischeritePb3Ge(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
7.DF.25SchaurteiteCa3Ge(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
7.DF.25MallestigitePb3Sb5+(SO4)(AsO4)(OH)6 · 3H2OHex. 6 : P63
7.DF.30Slavíkite(H3O+)3Mg6Fe15(SO4)21(OH)18 · 98H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.DF.35MetavoltineNa6K2FeFe6(SO4)12O2 · 18H2OTrig.
7.DF.40LannoniteMg2Ca4Al4(SO4)8F8 · 24H2O Tet. 4/m : I4/m
7.DF.40VlodavetsiteAlCa2(SO4)2F2Cl · 4H2OTet. 4/m : I4/m
7.DF.45PeretaiteCa(SbO)4(SO4)2(OH)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.DF.50GordaiteNaZn4(SO4)(OH)6Cl · 6H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DF.55Clairite(NH4)2Fe3(SO4)4(OH)3 · 3H2OTric.
7.DF.60ArzruniteCu4Pb2(SO4)(OH)4Cl6 · 2H2O (?)Orth.
7.DF.65ElyitePb4Cu(SO4)O2(OH)4 · H2OMon. 2/m
7.DF.70YecoraiteFe3+3Bi5(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)O9 · 9H2O
7.DF.75RiomarinaiteBi(SO4)(OH) · H2OMon. 2/m
7.DF.80DukeiteBi3+24Cr6+8O57(OH)6 · 3H2OTrig. 3m : P3 1c
7.DF.85XocolatliteCa2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2OMon. 2/m : P2/m

Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals GroupingHide

25.2.1ChalcocyaniteCuSO4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
25.2.2BonattiteCuSO4 · 3H2OMon.
25.2.3ChalcanthiteCuSO4 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
25.2.4BoothiteCuSO4 · 7H2OMon.
25.2.5DolerophaniteCu2(SO4)OMon. 2/m : B2/m
25.2.6AntleriteCu3(SO4)(OH)4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
25.2.7BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
25.2.8PosnjakiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · H2OMon. m : Pm
25.2.9LangiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2OMon. m
25.2.10WroewolfeiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2OMon. m : Pm
25.2.11KröhnkiteNa2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
25.2.13PiypiteK4Cu4O2(SO4)4 · (Na,Cu)ClTet.
25.2.14FedotoviteK2Cu3(SO4)3OMon. 2/m : B2/b
25.2.15CyanochroiteK2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m
25.2.16EuchlorineKNaCu3(SO4)3OMon.
25.2.17DevillineCaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
25.2.18LeightoniteK2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2OTric.
25.2.19ChalcoalumiteCuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2OMon. 2 : P21
25.2.20CyanotrichiteCu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2OOrth.
25.2.21WoodwarditeCu1-xAlx(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2OTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
25.2.22CampigliaiteMn2+Cu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OMon.
25.2.23GuilditeCuFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2OMon.
25.2.24RansomiteCuFe2(SO4)4 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
25.2.26KlyuchevskiteK3Cu3(Fe3+,Al)(SO4)4O2Mon.
25.2.27Poitevinite(Cu,Fe)SO4 · H2OTric.
25.2.28ArgentojarositeAgFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6Trig. 3m : R3m

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Slowly soluble in water. Readily soluble in acids.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for NatrochalciteHide

Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Palache, C. and Warren (1908) American Journal of Science: 26: 342.
Palache, C. and Warren (1908) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 45: 534.
Palache, C. (1939) American Journal of Science: 237 451.
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 602-603.
Periodico di Mineralogia (1969): 38: 355.
Zeitschrift für Kristallographie (1989): 187: 239.
Kurz, Maditha; Ende, Martin; Giester, Gerald; Miletich, Ronald (2018): Hydrogen bonding in natrochalcite NaCu2(SO4)2(OH) 2H2O under high pressure. Pangeo2018 [https://opac.geologie.ac.at/wwwopacx/wwwopac.ashx?command=getcontent&server=images&value=BR0128_085.pdf]

Internet Links for NatrochalciteHide

Localities for NatrochalciteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (eg from pseudomorphs.)

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Chile
 
  • Antofagasta
    • Antofagasta Province
      • Baquedano
Anthonyt, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy" Vol V, P. 485.
Kampf, A.R., Mills, S.J., Rumsey, M. S., Dini, M., Birch, W. D., Spratt, J., Pluth, J.J., Steele, I. M., Jenkins, R. A., and Pinch, W. W. (2012): The heteromolybdate family: structural relations, nomenclature scheme and new species. Mineralogical Magazine, 76(5), 1175-1207.
    • El Loa Province
      • Calama
        • Chuquicamata District
American Journal of Science, series 4 (1908): 26: 342; Jarrell, O. W. (1944): Oxidation at Chuquicamata, Chile. Economic Geology, 39, 251-86.; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 603.
Greece
 
  • Attica
    • East Attica
      • Lavreotiki
        • Lavrion District Mines
Rieck, B., Kolitsch, U., Voudouris, P., Giester, G. and Tzeferis, P. (2018): Weitere Neufunde aus Lavrion, Griechenland. Mineralien-Welt 29 (5), 32-77 (in German).
Italy
 
  • Tuscany
    • Livorno Province
      • Elba Island
        • Capoliveri
          • Cape Calamita Mine (Calamita Mine)
F. Quagliarella (1966) - Su alcuni solfati di Capo Calamita (Isola d'Elba) - Rend. Soc. Min. It., 22: 210.
USA
 
  • Arizona
    • Cochise Co.
      • Tombstone Hills
        • Tombstone District
EDS by Tony Kampf, November 15, 2010. Specimen in the Bruce J. Murphy collection.
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