Natrochalcite
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About Natrochalcite
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
Member of:
Name:
In allusion to the composition, containing sodium (Latin = NATRium) and copper (CHALCo-)
Classification of Natrochalcite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
6/D.18-30
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
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
F : With large and medium-sized cations
31.8.1.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
8 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
8 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
25.2.12
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
Physical Properties of Natrochalcite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Bright green; green in transmitted light.
Streak:
Greenish white
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}, perfect.
On {001}, perfect.
Density:
3.47 - 3.51 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.54 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Natrochalcite
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.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r < v strong
Chemical Properties of Natrochalcite
Formula:
NaCu2(SO4)2(OH) · 2H2O
IMA Formula:
NaCu2(SO4)2(OH) · H2O
Crystallography of Natrochalcite
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 Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Type Occurrence of Natrochalcite
Other Language Names for Natrochalcite
Relationship of Natrochalcite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Cabalzarite | Ca(Mg,Al,Fe3+)2(AsO4)2(OH,H2O)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Cobaltlotharmeyerite | Ca(Co,Fe3+,Ni)2(AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH) | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Cobalttsumcorite | Pb(Co,Fe3+,Ni)2(AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH) | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Ferrilotharmeyerite | Ca(Fe3+,Zn)2(AsO4)2 · 2(OH,H2O) | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Gartrellite | Pb(Cu,Fe3+,Zn)2(AsO4,SO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Helmutwinklerite | Pb(Zn,Cu)2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. |
Kaliochalcite | KCu2(SO4)2[(OH)(H2O)] | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Krettnichite | PbMn3+2(VO4)2(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Lotharmeyerite | Ca(Zn,Mn3+)2(AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH) | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Lukrahnite | Ca(Cu,Zn)(Fe3+,Zn)(AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Manganlotharmeyerite | CaMn3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Mawbyite | Pb(Fe3+,Zn)2(AsO4)2 · 2(OH,H2O) | Mon. |
Mounanaite | PbFe3+2(VO4)2(OH,F)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Nickellotharmeyerite | Ca(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 |
Nickeltsumcorite | Pb(Ni,Fe3+)2(AsO4)2(H2O,OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Phosphogartrellite | Pb(Cu,Fe3+)2(PO4,AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH) | Tric. |
Rappoldite | Pb(Co,Ni,Zn)2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. |
Schneebergite | (Bi3+,Ca)(Co,Ni,Fe3+)2(AsO4)2(OH,H2O)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Thometzekite | PbCu2+2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Tsumcorite | PbZn2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Mon. |
Yancowinnaite | PbCuAl(AsO4)2OH · H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Zincgartrellite | Pb(Zn,Fe3+,Cu)2(AsO4)2 · 2(H2O,OH) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Kröhnkite | 7 photos of Natrochalcite associated with Kröhnkite on mindat.org. |
Leightonite | 4 photos of Natrochalcite associated with Leightonite on mindat.org. |
Copper | 1 photo of Natrochalcite associated with Copper on mindat.org. |
Paratacamite | 1 photo of Natrochalcite associated with Paratacamite on mindat.org. |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
7.DF. | Aldridgeite | (Cd,Ca)(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.DF. | Alcaparrosaite | K3Ti4+Fe3+(SO4)4O(H2O)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.DF.05 | Uklonskovite | NaMg(SO4)F · 2H2O | Mon. |
7.DF.10 | Kainite | KMg(SO4)Cl · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
7.DF.20 | Metasideronatrite | Na2Fe(SO4)2(OH) · H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
7.DF.20 | Sideronatrite | Na2Fe(SO4)2(OH) · 3H2O | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
7.DF.25 | Despujolsite | Ca3Mn4+(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6 m2 : P62c |
7.DF.25 | Fleischerite | Pb3Ge(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
7.DF.25 | Schaurteite | Ca3Ge(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
7.DF.25 | Mallestigite | Pb3Sb5+(SO4)(AsO4)(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
7.DF.30 | Slavíkite | (H3O+)3Mg6Fe15(SO4)21(OH)18 · 98H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
7.DF.35 | Metavoltine | Na6K2FeFe6(SO4)12O2 · 18H2O | Trig. |
7.DF.40 | Lannonite | Mg2Ca4Al4(SO4)8F8 · 24H2O | Tet. 4/m : I4/m |
7.DF.40 | Vlodavetsite | AlCa2(SO4)2F2Cl · 4H2O | Tet. 4/m : I4/m |
7.DF.45 | Peretaite | Ca(SbO)4(SO4)2(OH)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.DF.50 | Gordaite | NaZn4(SO4)(OH)6Cl · 6H2O | Trig. 3 : P3 |
7.DF.55 | Clairite | (NH4)2Fe3(SO4)4(OH)3 · 3H2O | Tric. |
7.DF.60 | Arzrunite | Cu4Pb2(SO4)(OH)4Cl6 · 2H2O (?) | Orth. |
7.DF.65 | Elyite | Pb4Cu(SO4)O2(OH)4 · H2O | Mon. 2/m |
7.DF.70 | Yecoraite | Fe3+3Bi5(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)O9 · 9H2O | |
7.DF.75 | Riomarinaite | Bi(SO4)(OH) · H2O | Mon. 2/m |
7.DF.80 | Dukeite | Bi3+24Cr6+8O57(OH)6 · 3H2O | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
7.DF.85 | Xocolatlite | Ca2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/m |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
25.2.1 | Chalcocyanite | CuSO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
25.2.2 | Bonattite | CuSO4 · 3H2O | Mon. |
25.2.3 | Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
25.2.4 | Boothite | CuSO4 · 7H2O | Mon. |
25.2.5 | Dolerophanite | Cu2(SO4)O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
25.2.6 | Antlerite | Cu3(SO4)(OH)4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
25.2.7 | Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
25.2.8 | Posnjakite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · H2O | Mon. m : Pm |
25.2.9 | Langite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O | Mon. m |
25.2.10 | Wroewolfeite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O | Mon. m : Pm |
25.2.11 | Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
25.2.13 | Piypite | K4Cu4O2(SO4)4 · (Na,Cu)Cl | Tet. |
25.2.14 | Fedotovite | K2Cu3(SO4)3O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
25.2.15 | Cyanochroite | K2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m |
25.2.16 | Euchlorine | KNaCu3(SO4)3O | Mon. |
25.2.17 | Devilline | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
25.2.18 | Leightonite | K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2O | Tric. |
25.2.19 | Chalcoalumite | CuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
25.2.20 | Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O | Orth. |
25.2.21 | Woodwardite | Cu1-xAlx(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
25.2.22 | Campigliaite | Mn2+Cu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O | Mon. |
25.2.23 | Guildite | CuFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O | Mon. |
25.2.24 | Ransomite | CuFe2(SO4)4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
25.2.26 | Klyuchevskite | K3Cu3(Fe3+,Al)(SO4)4O2 | Mon. |
25.2.27 | Poitevinite | (Cu,Fe)SO4 · H2O | Tric. |
25.2.28 | Argentojarosite | AgFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Other Information
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 Natrochalcite
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 Natrochalcite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2853.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Specimens:
The following Natrochalcite specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com.
Localities for Natrochalcite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Chile | |
| 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. | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| F. Quagliarella (1966) - Su alcuni solfati di Capo Calamita (Isola d'Elba) - Rend. Soc. Min. It., 22: 210. |
USA | |
| EDS by Tony Kampf, November 15, 2010. Specimen in the Bruce J. Murphy collection. |
Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile