underthescopemineral: Aurichalcite, Hemimorphite (Zn,Cu2+)5(CO3)2(OH)6, Zn4Si2O7(OH)2&mi
underthescopemineral: Aurichalcite, Hemimorphite (Zn,Cu2+)5(CO3)2(OH)6, Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·H2O Locality:Bob Montgomery Claim Group, Granite Gap, San Simon District, Peloncillo Mts, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico, USA Field of View: 4.0 mm Light blue aurichalcite with colorless hemimorphite. Douglas Merson’s Photo Aurichalcite (latinicized version of the Greek ορείχαλκος - “mountain copper”) a secondary mineral in copper and zinc deposits, aurichalcite is in its most typical form, the tiny fragile crystal needles may rub off when touched. Handling of such specimens should be avoided due to their fragility, and washing Aurichalcite should also be avoided for this reason. Hemimorphite is a unique mineral, with different crystal terminations on each side of a single crystal. This habit is responsible for Hemimorphite’s name, from the Greek hemi, meaning “half” and morph, meaning shape. Although this habit is very common among Hemimorphite crystals, its visibility is usually obscured by one end of a crystal being attached to the matrix. -- source link