AURICHALCITE


Aurichalcite forms in the oxidation zones of zinc-copper deposits. Crystals are acicular or fibrous and found in tufted aggregates. The color is an attractive grass green to pale green. 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.

Aurichalcite can be confused with Rosasite, (Cu, Zn)2CO3(OH)2. However rosasite is usually more massive but not lamellar. Rosasite crystals are harder than aurichalcite; 4 vs 1 - 2, respectively.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

 

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