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Collectable
Copper Ores and Minerals |
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This is a selection of the most commonly
collected copper ores. Also included are a few other interesting ores of
metals often alloyed with copper such as zinc, lead and bismuth.
Illustrations will be added later.
The descriptions are mostly those of the
vendors and give some of the fascinating background to the collection. They
cannot always be verified. There are variations in terminology, spellings
and formulae that may be regional or accidental. Most spellings are English
(UK). The chemical descriptions and formulae given at the end of a
paragraph apply to the primary subject.
For more information and illustrations,
reference should be made to some of the many excellent sites run by
geological specialists.
http://www.geocities.com/alt_cosmos/minerals/c.html
http://www.galleries.com/minerals/byname.htm
http://www.mindat.org/index.php
and 'eBay' listings. |
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Chemical symbols used: |
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Al |
Aluminium |
Mn |
Manganese |
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As |
Arsenic |
N |
Nitrogen |
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Au |
Gold |
Na |
Sodium |
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C |
Carbon |
O |
Oxygen |
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Ca |
Calcium |
P |
Phosphorus |
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Cd |
Cadmium |
Pb |
Lead |
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Cl |
Chlorine |
S |
Sulphur |
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Co |
Cobalt |
Sb |
Antimony |
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Cu |
Copper |
Si |
Silicon |
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H |
Hydrogen |
Sn |
Tin |
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Fe |
Iron |
Te |
Tellurium |
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K |
Potassium |
Zn |
Zinc |
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Native copper |
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2634 |
Adamite (Zinc Arsenate Hydroxide) from Ojuela Mine,
Mapimi, Durango, Colorado. A 20mm long large double-terminated adamite
crystal is growing with a classic "fan" of adamite crystals. There are some
unidentified crystals on the back, possibly an odd form of campylite,
uncommon at Ojuela Mine. Adamite is Zinc Arsenate Hydroxide Zn2AsO4(OH).
Size 75 x 68 x 25mm. |
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2635 |
Adamite from Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. A
couple of exceptionally long (for their width) lustrous slender adamite
crystals that really stand out against the dark limonitic matrix. Size 40 x
30 x 30mm. (Zinc Arsenate Hydroxide Zn2AsO4(OH).) |
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2758 |
Ajoite from Shattuck Mine, Bisbee, Arizona. Ajoite is
found in 1-2 mm thick veins cutting rock. The bluish-green areas in the
photo are open sides of veins. Some rich areas of dark blue Shattuckite
balls & masses. Minor minute micro greenish-brown Fornacite crystals. Matrix
is Chrysocolla, Hematite, Quartz, & a black lustrous (not black Chrysocolla)
mineral. Size 100 x 80 x 67 mm. Weight 458g (1lb) (Hydrated Potassium
Sodium Copper Aluminium Silicate Hydroxide (K,Na)Cu7AlSi9O24(OH)6.3H2O
) |
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2701 |
Ankerite from Port Quin (OS Ref: SW 971 806) St
Endellion North Cornish coast. (Calcium Iron Magnesium Manganese Carbonate
, Ca(Fe, Mg, Mn)(CO3)2 ) |
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ANTLERITE (Copper Sulphate Hydroxide) Cu3(SO4)(OH)4 |
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2689 |
Apatite as Carbonate Fluor Apatite from Gunnislake
Clitters, Cornwall. 46 x 38 x 28mm, Weight 51g. (Calcium Phosphate
complex, Ca5(PO4)3(OH,F,Cl),) |
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2510 |
Arthurite (Hydrated Copper Iron Arsenate Phosphate
Sulphate Hydroxide), a rare copper iron arsenate in the form of a thin apple
green coating on Elvan. It is typically green and forms small acicular
crystals. Size approx 50 x 25 x13mm. (Copper Chloride Hydroxide, Cu2Cl(OH)3) |
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2573 |
Atacamite crystals from the Mount Gunson Mine, S.
Australia. The specimen consists of very many small green crystals of
hydrated copper chloride. Size 26 x 25mm. (Copper Chloride Hydroxide, Cu2Cl(OH)3) |
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2609 |
Atacamite with included Selenite, a high quality
aesthetic specimen of clear gemmy terminated and double terminated selenite
crystals on a base of drusy blue chrysocolla and dark green atacamite
crystals from the Lily Mine, Pisco Province, Ica Dept. Peru. The selenites
are gemmy clear crystals from 2 to 13mm long with good terminations – they
are green from atacamite that is included within the crystals. Size 40 x
25mm. (Copper Chloride Hydroxide, Cu2Cl(OH)3) |
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2605 |
Aurichalcite from the 79 Mine, Gila Co, Arizona, this
specimen features needles of bright blue aurichalcite on all faces except
the bottom. The needles range up to 3mm, and the overall dimensions are 25 x
22mm. (Zinc Copper Carbonate Hydroxide (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6
) |
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2565 |
Azurite, and malachite crystals on a
matrix. (Hydrated Copper Carbonate), Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
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2686 |
Azurite from Ting Tang mine Gwennapp, Cornwall.
(Hydrated Copper Carbonate), Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
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2594 |
Azurite, Malachite and Cuprite, probably from Arizona.
It could be cut to some bright Cabochons (Cabs). Picture taken wet. Size 80
x 60 x 6mm. (Hydrated Copper Carbonate, Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2) |
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2593 |
Azurite, Malachite and Cuprite in a copper mineral
nodule that has been clipped on both ends to reveal the structure. It is
very solid with no fractures showing. Picture taken wet. Size 110 x 80 x 67,
weighs 1,500g, 2 lb 3 oz. (Hydrated Copper Carbonate, Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2) |
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2670 |
Azurite/Malachite. Azurite is well known for its
unparalleled colour, a deep blue called "azure". (Hydrated Copper
Carbonate, Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2) |
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2649 |
Azurite & Malachite in Conglomerate from New Mexico.
Weight 730g (1lb 10oz). (Hydrated Copper Carbonate, Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2). |
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2779 |
Barite, pink / white crystalline Barite, from Devon.
Size approx 50 x 25 x 3mm. (Barium Sulphate, BaSO4) |
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Balyakinite, first discovered in Russia in 1980. (Copper Tellurium
Oxide, Cu,TeO3), |
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2702 |
Bayldonite from Penberthy Croft Mine, Cornwall.
(Hydrated Copper Lead Arsenate Hydroxide Cu3Pb(AsO4)2
- H2O). |
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Beaverite, a rare lemon yellow secondary mineral found near San
Francisco in the oxidized zone over lead-bearing deposits. (Pb(Cu,Fe,Al)3(SO4))2(OH)6
. |
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2687 |
Binheimite from Trevinnick Mine (a complex
lead-antimony hydroxide, Pb2Sb2O6(O,OH) ). |
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2835 |
Boleite, Rich Blue Cube, Ag Cu Pb Chloride, Specimens
with natural matrix are extremely rare because the crystals are usually in a
clay-like material that falls apart when dry. This is a tiny crystal, 2 mm.
on a side from Amelia Mine, Santa Rosalia, Baja California (Hydrated Lead
Copper Silver Chloride Hydroxide (Pb26Cu24Ag10Cl62(OH)48.3H2O.) |
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2618 |
Boulangerite from Wheal Emily, Wembury, Devon. Size
40mm. (Lead Antimony Sulphide, Pb5Sb4S11) |
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2688 |
Brochantite, with Copper, Cuprite & Langite from Wheal
Garland, Cornwall. (Copper Sulphate Hydroxide, Cu4SO4(OH)6) |
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2631 |
Brochantite from Blanchard Claims, Bingham, New Mexico.
Tight tufts of brochantite crystals are scattered across the display
surface. This specimen has a lot more brochantite on it than normal. Size
50 x 30 x 15mm (2 x 1.5 x .6 inches). (Copper Sulphate Hydroxide Cu4SO4(OH)6
). |
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Buttgenbachite (Hydrated Copper Nitrate Chloride
Hydroxide Cu19(NO3)2Cl4(OH)32.2H2O.
) |
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2703 |
Calcite, Nail Head, from Greystones Quarry (OS Ref: SX
362 794) Lezant, near Launceston. Cornwall. Size 53 x 31mm (2 x 1 1/4"),
weight 43g. (Calcium Carbonate, Ca CO3,) |
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Caledonite (Copper Lead Carbonate Sulphate Hydroxide),
Cu2Pb5CO3(SO 4)3(OH)6. |
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6094 |
Campylite, Drygill, Cumberland, England. museum quality
campylite from this classic locality. Lustrous, shining crystals richly
intergrown on quartz and barite matrix. Crystals are up to 5mm, specimen is
3.5 x 3 inches. Campylite, a variety of Mimetite, (Lead Chloroarsenate Pb5(AsO4)3Cl
) |
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2570 |
Carrolite crystal from the Democratic Republic of Congo
. This is an excellent and highly lustrous crystal of the rare cobalt
mineral Carrolite from the Kambove Mine, near Likasi, Congo. The specimen
is 32 by 24 mm in size, with the crystal located in the centre surrounded by
some pink Cobaltocalcite. Size 34 x 24mm Weight 13g. (Copper-cobalt-nickel
sulphide, Cu (Co,Ni)2S4 ) |
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2623 |
Alluvial Cassiterite pebble from a Cornish beach. The
Cassiterite makes up approx 50% of the pebble and is in the form of a light
brown fine-grained type. The remainder of the pebble is grey Killas and vein
milky quartz. Size approx 75 x 50 x 40mm. Weight 243g. (Tin oxide, SnO2) |
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2638 |
Cassiterite as a dark brown vein specimen from
Cornwall's last Tin mine, now closed, South Crofty Mine, Pool, Redruth,
Cornwall. (No 5 Draw Point, 17/8/97) Size 50 x 25 x 25mm (2 x 1 x 1
inches). Weight 151g. (Tin oxide, SnO2) |
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2557 |
Cassiterite as a heavy fine grained light brown vein in
the middle of a milky white quartz matrix. Specimen is from a long abandoned
old Cornish Tin Mine. Specimen measures approx 75 x 75 x 25mm (3 x 3 x 1").
Weight 236g. (Tin oxide, SnO2) |
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2669 |
Chalcanthite these are actually artificially grown
copper sulphate crystals up to 13mm long on a 42mm limestone matrix. Weight
18g. (Hydrated Copper Sulphate, CuSO4.5H20) |
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2804 |
Cerussite, it shows the sheen like crystal formation.
Size 47 x 26mm, weight 116g. (White Lead Ore, PbCO3 ) |
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2759 |
Chalcoalumite from Lavender Pit, Bisbee, Arizona, the
best locality for the mineral. Rich blue to green crusts of minute sparkling
micro crystals, some with a thin iron oxide stain, covering most of the top
of rock. Also present are a few Cuprite crystals. (Hydrated copper
aluminium sulphate, CuAl4[(OH)12SO4].3H2O
) |
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6108 |
Chalcocite, large showy piece from the Junction Shaft
at Bisbee, rare old stock, rare old locality, you won't find this stuff
around much anymore! Dimensions: 3.5" x 2.0" x 1.5" weight: 7.1 ounces
(200 grams) colour: glittery, rich (Copper Sulphide, Cu2S ) |
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2690 |
Chalcophyllite crystals on matrix from Wheal Gorland.
Size 44 x 42 x 40mm. Weight 18g. (Hydrated copper aluminium sulphate
arsenate hydroxide, Cu18Al2(AsO4)3(SO4)3(OH)27.33H2O
) |
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2704 |
Chalcopyrite and Sphalerite (Zinc Iron Sulphide or
Blende, (Zn, Fe)S, from Wheal Garland (OS Ref SW 730 427) St Day, Gwennap.
Cornwall. Size 34 x 30 x 22mm. Weight 25g. (Copper Iron Sulphide, CuFeS2). |
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2641 |
Chalcopyrite Crystals from a Cornish quarry. Size 110
x 70 x 70mm (4 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 3"). Weight 365g (13oz). (Copper Iron
Sulphide, CuFeS2) |
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2672 |
Chalcopyrite crystals 2-4mm long across quartz. Size
110 x 70 x 70. Weight 570g (1lb 4oz). (Copper Iron Sulphide, CuFeS2). |
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2586 |
Chalcopyrite with sphalerite, quartz and pyrite from the
Huaron mine, San Jose de Huayllay District, Pasco Department, Peru. The
specimen was very hard to photograph and is much better in person. Size 55 x
35 mm. Weight 75g. (Copper Iron Sulphide, CuFeS2). |
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2568 |
Chalcopyrite, (Copper iron sulphide, Copper pyrite,
CuFeS2) iridescent purplish and bluish crystals from the
Viburnum Trend, Missouri. Size 34 x 27 mm. Weight 23g. (Copper Iron
Sulphide, CuFeS2). |
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2558 |
Chalcosiderite as small dark apple green micro crystals
on a rich brown liminitic gossan. Size 100 x 25 x 25mm (4 x 1 x 1").
Weight 91g (3oz). (Hydrated Copper Iron Phosphate Hydroxide CuFe6(PO4)4(OH)8.4H2O). |
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2792 |
Chalcosiderite (Hydrated Copper Iron Phosphate
Hydroxide CuFe6(PO4)4(OH)8.4H2O)
from Phoenix United Mine, Liskeard, Cornwall showing rare apple green micro
crystals of Chalcosiderite scattered over a rich Iron Goethite / Limonite
matrix. Size 90 x 50 x 50mm (3.5 x 2 x 2 inches). Weight 218g (8oz).
(Hydrated Copper Iron Phosphate Hydroxide CuFe6(PO4)4(OH)8.4H2O). |
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2511 |
Chalcosiderite, a rare specimen from Stones Lode,
Phoenix United Mine, Minions, Cornwall. The Chalcosiderite crystals are of
a deep apple green colour on a very heavy quartz/iron gossan. Size 50 x 50 x
50mm. Weight 150g (5oz). (Hydrated Copper Iron Phosphate Hydroxide CuFe6(PO4)4(OH)8.4H2O). |
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2691 |
Chenevixite from Wheal Gorland (OS Ref: SW 730 427) St
Day, Gwennap. Cornwall. It is a complex mineral and Wheal Gorland is the
classic source. Size 26 x 20 15mm. Weight 5g. (Copper iron arsenate, Cu2Fe2(AsO4)2(OH)4.H2O) |
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2613 |
Chrysocolla Stalactite - Arizona A nice specimen that
features white chalcedony coating deep blue/green chrysocolla stalactites.
The locale is the Ballpark Bench, Ray Mine, Pinal Co, Arizona. The specimen
is very aesthetic, and has deep blue chrysocolla stalactites from 3 to 22mm
tall (1/8” to 7/8”). Size overall 25 x 17 (1” x 5/8”). Weight approx 5g.
(Hydrated copper silicate CuSiO3.H2O) |
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2666 |
Chrysocolla. This piece displays a very light
blue/green Chrysocolla of botryoidal habit covering a layer of concentric
Malachite from Democratic Republic of Congo. Size 75 x 55 x 20mm,
weight 71g. (Hydrated copper silicate CuSiO3.H2O) |
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2434 |
Chrysocolla/ azurite and azurite layering, smithsonite
on and in, limonite, cuprite with some chalcocite. It is of botryoidal form,
shaped like a cluster of grapes. Size 95 x 60 x 50 (3 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 2").
Weight 220g (8oz).. (Hydrated copper silicate CuSiO3.H2O). |
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2677 |
Chrysocolla, showing blue and green with fluorescent
green opal. This is hydrated copper silicate. It is 130 x 50 x 60mm. Weight
466g (1lb). (Hydrated copper silicate CuSiO3.H2O). |
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2433 |
Chrysocolla/quartz/malachite/turquoise, red heamatite and
a little chalcocite veins. This is from a private mine in Central Pinal Co,
AZ. Occurrence is secondary copper enrichment of copper vein. . Size 70 x 55
x 25mm (2 3/4" x 2 1/4" x 1", weight 112g, 2oz…(Hydrated copper silicate
CuSiO3.H2O) |
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2760 |
Cinnabar mercury ore from Shizhuan Prov., China
Terminated 10 mm crystal on micro Quartz & Dolomite crystals. 24 x 23 x 23
mm. (Mercury Sulphide HgS ) |
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6109
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Clinoclase, Rare Copper Mineral thumbnail specimen of
deep blue xls of the copper arsenate mineral from the Tin Stope at Majuba
Hill, Pershing County, Nevada. (Copper Arsenate Hydroxide. Cu3AsO4(OH)3
) |
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6105 |
CLINOCLASE (Copper Arsenate Hydroxide). It is
comprised of numerous small crystals and crystal aggregates which are a
beautiful azure blue and blue-green color set against a backdrop of mixed
secondary Copper minerals. One side has the largest patch of Clinoclase,
while the other side has more evenly distributed Clinoclase with other
gorgeous bright green and Turquoise blue Copper minerals. This lovely
specimen is 2.25 inches by 1.4 inches by 1.1 inches. It weighs 38 grams. |
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2569 |
Conichcalcite, showing a green bytroidal shape, coming
from the famous Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Mexico. Size 37 x 27mm. (Copper
Calcium Arsenate, CaCu(AsO4)(OH)) |
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2603 |
Conichcalcite from Gold Hill, Utah. (Copper Calcium
Arsenate, CaCu(AsO4)(OH)). |
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2514 |
Connellite. Rich blue velvety blue Connellite balls
with green bladed Brochantite from: Relistian Mine, Wall, Nr Gwithian,
Cornwall.. This is a very nice specimen that can easily be seen with a
loupe. Size: 45 x 25 x 15mm. (Hydrated Copper Sulphate Chloride Hydroxide
Cu19SO4Cl4(OH)32.3H2O). |
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2825 |
Chrysotile, ( Magnesium Iron Silicate Hydroxide (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4
) Beautiful Pale Silky Fibres, Ariz, asbestos ore with long
(harmless) fibres. This is classic chrysotile asbestos but fibres are too
long to pose any health threat as long as the specimen is not excessively
fondled! Glistening veinlet without matrix, fibre length about 1 cm.
Thumbnail specimen, about 1.1 inch across. Collected in the Salt River
Canyon, Gila Co., Arizona. |
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