Description
Natural Chalcanthite (Copper Sulfate) (Matrix specimen) – Location: Planet Mine, Buckskin Mountains, La Paz County, Arizona. Miniature (see photo for more details). Here we have an aesthetic and colorful matrix specimen of gemmy to translucent ‘electric’ blue specimen of Chalcanthite crystals (copper sulfate) from Arizona. Chalcanthite is one of only a few water soluble sulfate minerals. It forms in the near-surface secondary oxidation zone of copper deposits usually late in the development of these deposits. Chalcanthite is a secondary copper mineral and crystals do occur naturally in regions where there is a very dry climate and where there are copper deposits. ‘Natural’ occurring Chalcanthite crystals usually form as very small crystals or as bluish crusts of Chalcanthite or as solid ‘stalactites’ of chalcanthite or as clusters of parallel growing crystals.
