Botallackite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Botallackite
Formula:
Cu2(OH)3Cl
Colour:
Mountain-green, bluish green to green; pale bluish green in transmitted light
Specific Gravity:
3.6
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
For the type locality, the Botallack Mine, St. Just, Cornwall.
Polymorph of:
A secondary copper mineral.
NOTE: May be confused with Kapellasite, which has a similar X-ray powder diffraction pattern. Some botallackites contain minor Zn, but the Zn:Cu ratio never approaches that of kapellasite (1:3).
NOTE: May be confused with Kapellasite, which has a similar X-ray powder diffraction pattern. Some botallackites contain minor Zn, but the Zn:Cu ratio never approaches that of kapellasite (1:3).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
732
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:732:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
057b44f1-e90d-4ba6-8d04-775f4a5aa617
IMA Classification of Botallackite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2Cl(OH)3
Classification of Botallackite
3.DA.10b
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
A : With Cu, etc., without Pb
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
A : With Cu, etc., without Pb
10.1.3.1
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
1 : A2(O,OH)3Xq
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
1 : A2(O,OH)3Xq
8.2.6
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
2 : Halides of Cu
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
2 : Halides of Cu
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Blk | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Botallackite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Botallackite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Mountain-green, bluish green to green; pale bluish green in transmitted light
Comment:
Soft
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
In one direction perpendicular to Z axis
In one direction perpendicular to Z axis
Density:
3.6 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.6 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Botallackite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.775 nβ = 1.800 nγ = 1.846
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.071
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:
Very High
Dispersion:
r > v, strong
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
in shades of bluish green
Chemistry of Botallackite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2(OH)3Cl
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Botallackite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.717 Å, b = 6.126 Å, c = 5.636 Å
β = 93.07°
β = 93.07°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.933 : 1 : 0.92
Unit Cell V:
197.10 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Elongate tabular indistinct crystals; also blocky-prismatic crystals.
Comment:
Krause (2006) gives a 5.7155(5), b 6.1255(6), c 5.6336(4) A, beta 93.090(8)°.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014479 | Botallackite | Hawthorne F C (1985) Refinement of the crystal structure of botallackite Mineralogical Magazine 49 87-89 |  | 1985 | Botallack mine, Cornwall, England | 0 | 293 |
| 0019937 | Botallackite | Zheng X G, Mori T, Nishiyama K, Higemoto W, Yamada H, Nishikubo K, Xu C N (2005) Antiferromagnetic transitions in polymorphous minerals of the natural cuprates atacamite and botallackite Cu2Cl(OH)3 Physical Review B - Condensed Matter 71 174404-8 | 2005 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.66 Å | (10) |
| 2.84 Å | (4) |
| 2.68 Å | (3) |
| 2.57 Å | (7) |
| 2.40 Å | (8) |
| 1.93 Å | (3) |
| 1.53 Å | (4) |
Comments:
Recorded on material from the Botallack Mine, Cornwall, England
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 15 : Black/white smoker minerals and other seafloor hydrothermal minerals | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Geological Setting:
In copper-bearing deposits, in areas with high chloride concentrations or weathered while exposed to sea water; a reaction product of slags immersed in sea water; a weathering product of sulphides in subsea black smoker deposits.
Type Occurrence of Botallackite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crusts of minute platy interlaced crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England (No. 36528)
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (No. 100805)
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (No. 100805)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In a copper deposit, in areas weathered while exposed to sea water.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Botallackite
German:Botallackit
Russian:Боталлактит
Simplified Chinese:羟氯铜矿
Spanish:Botallackita
Traditional Chinese:羥氯銅礦
Varieties of Botallackite
| Brombotallackite | Artificial bromine analogue of Botallackite |
Relationship of Botallackite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Clinoatacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl | Mon. 2/m |
| Gillardite | Cu3Ni(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Haydeeite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Herbertsmithite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Hibbingite | Fe2+2(OH)3Cl | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Iyoite | MnCuCl(OH)3 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Kapellasite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Kempite | Mn2+2(OH)3Cl | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Leverettite | Cu3Co(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Misakiite | Cu3Mn(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Paratacamite | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Paratacamite-(Mg) | Cu3(Mg,Cu)(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Paratacamite-(Ni) | Cu3(Ni,Cu)(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Tondiite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Unnamed (Cu-Zn Chloride Hydroxide) | CuZnCl(OH)3 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 14 photos of Botallackite associated with Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 10 photos of Botallackite associated with Paratacamite | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 9 photos of Botallackite associated with Connellite | Cu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O |
| 8 photos of Botallackite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 6 photos of Botallackite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Botallackite associated with Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| 4 photos of Botallackite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 4 photos of Botallackite associated with Laurionite | PbCl(OH) |
| 4 photos of Botallackite associated with Ashburtonite | Pb4Cu4(Si4O12)(HCO3)4(OH)3Cl · H2O |
| 3 photos of Botallackite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.DA. | Centennialite | CaCu3Cl2(OH)6 · nH2O (n ~ 0.7) |
| 3.DA. | Muonionalustaite | Ni3(OH)4Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA. | Parahibbingite | Fe2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA. | Bounahasite | Cu+Cu2+2(OH)3Cl2 |
| 3.DA.05 | Melanothallite | Cu2Cl2O |
| 3.DA.10a | Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10b | Clinoatacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10a | Hibbingite | Fe2+2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10a | Kempite | Mn2+2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Kuliginite | Fe3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Paratacamite | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10b | Belloite | Cu(OH)Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Herbertsmithite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Kapellasite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Gillardite | Cu3Ni(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Haydeeite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Leverettite | Cu3Co(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Paratacamite-(Ni) | Cu3(Ni,Cu)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Tondiite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Misakiite | Cu3Mn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10b | Iyoite | MnCuCl(OH)3 |
| 3.DA.10b | Unnamed (Cu-Zn Chloride Hydroxide) | CuZnCl(OH)3 |
| 3.DA.15 | Claringbullite | Cu4ClF(OH)6 |
| 3.DA.15 | Barlowite | Cu4BrF(OH)6 |
| 3.DA.20 | Simonkolleite | Zn5Cl2(OH)8 · H2O |
| 3.DA.25 | Buttgenbachite | Cu19(NO3)2(OH)32Cl4 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.25 | Connellite | Cu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O |
| 3.DA.30 | Abhurite | Sn21Cl16(OH)14O6 |
| 3.DA.35 | Ponomarevite | K4Cu4Cl10O |
| 3.DA.40 | Anthonyite | Cu(OH,Cl)2 · 3H2O |
| 3.DA.40 | Calumetite | CaCu4(OH)8Cl2 · 3.5H2O |
| 3.DA.45 | Khaidarkanite | Cu4Al3(OH)14F3 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.50 | Bobkingite | Cu5Cl2(OH)8 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.55 | Avdoninite | K2Cu5(OH)4Cl8 · H2O |
| 3.DA.60 | Droninoite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA.70 | Chrysothallite | K6Cu6Tl3+Cl17(OH)4 · H2O |
| 3.DA.70 | Dioskouriite | CaCu4Cl6(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA.75 | Feodosiyite | Cu11Mg2Cl18(OH)8 · 16H2O |
| 3.DA.80 | Romanorlovite | K8Cu6Cl17(OH)3 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Botallackite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-732.html
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References for Botallackite
Reference List:
Church, A. H. (1865) XXXII.—Notes on a Cornish mineral of the atacamite group. J. Chem. Soc., 18. 212-214 doi:10.1039/js8651800212
Maskelyne, N. S. (1865) On new Cornish minerals of the brochantite group. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, 14. 392-400 doi:10.1098/rspl.1865.0074
Frondel, Clifford (1950) On paratacamite and some related copper chlorides. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 29 (208) 34-45 doi:10.1180/minmag.1950.029.208.06
Hawthorne, F. C. (1985) Refinement of the crystal structure of botallackite. Mineralogical Magazine, 49 (350) 87-89 doi:10.1180/minmag.1985.049.350.12
Pollard, A. M., Thomas, R. G., Williams, P. A. (1989) Synthesis and stabilities of the basic copper(II) chlorides atacamite, paratacamite and botallackite. Mineralogical Magazine, 53 (373) 557-563 doi:10.1180/minmag.1989.053.373.06
Localities for Botallackite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Gablina et al. (2017) | |
Australia | |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
Austria | |
| Schnorrer et al. (2008) |
Canada | |
| Norman Wilson personal collection |
| Ronnie Van Dommelen collection |
Chile | |
| maurizio Dini & Arturo Molina collctions- analysed by EDX & PDF (by dr. Jochen Scluter) |
Ecuador | |
| sulfide mounds et al. (3) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Chauris (2014) |
| P Le Roch collection |
| www.mine-capgaronne.fr (2003) |
Germany | |
| Mader et al. (03/2021) |
| 54. +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
| van den Berg et al. (1990) |
| Bender et al. (1994) |
| |
Greece | |
| |
| Gröbner et al. (2002) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1982a) | |
Ireland | |
| [R.Tayler Minerals catalogue 70 p.2]. Moreton et al. (1993) |
| Dr Richard Unitt Collection |
| Braithwaite et al. (2001) |
Isle of Man | |
| Adam Stephens Collection |
Italy | |
| Rivista Mineralogica Italiana (Avril/Juin) |
| De Caro et al. (2023) |
| Muenchener Micromounter-Lithothek |
Japan | |
| Okamoto +3 other references |
Kazakhstan | |
| Evseev (1995) |
Poland | |
| Łukasz Kruszewski PXRD & EPMA data (2019) |
Slovakia | |
| Zajzon N. et al. (2021) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| SAMS (South African Micromount Society) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Paul De Bondt collection |
| Michael Merry |
| In that magazine +1 other reference | |
| Paul De Bondt collection |
| Richard De Nul specimens +1 other reference |
| Reid et al. (1907) |
| J.Chem.Soc. London (1865) |
| Steve Rust collection | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Elton et al. (1995) | |
| Golley et al. (1995) | |
| Peter Haas +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Tindle (2008) | |
| Starkey et al. (1998) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1990) |
| Anthony (1997) | |
| Day (1999) |
| NHM London |
| Dossett et al. (1) |
| David Evans specimen |
| Dave Evans collection | |
USA | |
| Graeme (1993) |
| Rob Bowell |
| Analyzed by the University of Arizona. |
| Rosemeyer (2022) |
| Tom Rosemeyer collection |
| |
| Rocks & Min. vol. 72 (1997) |
| Washington Geology |
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Levant Mine, Trewellard, St Just, Cornwall, England, UK