CaledoniteSome minerals are simple, with elemental copper, diamond and sulphur being obvious example
CaledoniteSome minerals are simple, with elemental copper, diamond and sulphur being obvious examples, but not this one, a complex lead copper carbonate sulphate. It was first found in Scotland, and named in 1832 after the Roman name for the region. Colour ranges from blue to green, and this uncommon mineral is one the many that form in the zones of ore deposits that have been transformed by percolating fluids, in this case oxygen, sulphur and carbonate rich. The colour derives from the copper, while the lustre (how brightly the crystal surface reflects light) displays the strong adamantine characteristic of lead minerals. It has also been found in the USA (including Arizona and California), Chile, Australia, Italy, Cornwall (England) and the island of Sardinia. With a Mohs hardness of merely 3 and a paucity of suitable material, it is not a mineral that is faceted. It is similar to and often found in association with Linarite (see http://bit.ly/2tq97NI), a lead copper sulphate without the carbonate ions. This sample is from the Reward mine in California and measures 6.0 x 3.6 x 2.2 cm.LozImage credit: Rob Lavinsky/iRocks.comhttps://www.mindat.org/min-865.htmlhttp://www.galleries.com/Caledonitehttp://bit.ly/2se70x4 -- source link
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