Conichalcite

Conichalcite (Kon-e-Kal-Site) is a relatively common calcium copper arsenate hydroxide mineral. It has a stunning and memorable green color. Once you have seen Conichalcite you will remember it and won't confuse it with any other mineral. It is often layered in acicular or botryoidal formation upon limonitic rocks that have a rusty red to yellow color. Conichalcite on Limonite specimens produce a very colorful aesthetic display.

Conichalcite got its name from the Greek words konis, meaning “powder,” and chalkos, meaning “copper,” in reference to the copper in the composition and its occasional appearance as a powdery crust. Relatively uncommon but widespread, conichalcite can be found in many minor occurrences, however good specimens can be found in localities in Spain, England, the United States, Mexico, Chile, and Namibia.

Conichalcite occurs as a secondary mineral in oxidized copper deposits as a product of the alteration of enargite. Conichalcite forms in the “oxidation zone” of copper ore bodies. (That is where highly oxygenated ground water interacts with copper sulfides and oxides resulting in the formation of beautiful and colorful minerals. All this occurs in a layered area which has been named the “oxidation zone”.)

Conichalcite is just one of these minerals. Other minerals that are found in the Oxidation Zone include; Malachite, Azurite, Linnarite, Beudantite, Adamite, Cuproadamite, Olivenite and Smithsonite.

Some of the most sought after specimens are;

Botryoidal Conichalcite on Limonite with a coating of shiny Calcite Crystals
Fine Acicular Conichalcite formations on Calcite
Large Spherical Botryoidal formations in vivid green

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conichalcite

Superb Old Stock Calcite on Conichalcite

Superb Old Stock Calcite on Conichalcite

Superb Old Stock Calcite on Conichalcite

This is a rare Old Stock specimen of Calcite on Conichalcite from the famous Mina Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. This Bright green botryoidal Conichalcite with Gemmy clear calcite cubes on a rust red Limonite matrix is a classic mineral from a classic location. The botryoidal Conichalcite is mostly coated with Calcite except for one location which has a beautiful formation of botryoidal Conichalcite that is visible in photos. The Calcite cubes are from micro up to 5mm. Truly a rare find ex Junior McKinney collection from Spruce Pine, NC

This specimen weighs 4.5 oz or 0.28 lbs (130g) and measures 3.4 x 2.1 x 1.75 inches (8.6 x 5.5 x 4.4 cm))

Item # CONIC02224143

Superb Old Stock Calcite on Conichalcite with Display Base

$79.00

This is a rare Old Stock specimen of Calcite on Conichalcite from the famous Mina Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. This Bright green botryoidal Conichalcite with Gemmy clear calcite cubes on a rust red Limonite matrix is a classic mineral from a classic location. This is an excellent specimen and it comes with a 2" x 2" x 1/2" Polished Acrylic Base with beveled edges. This is an excellent display specimen!

This specimen weighs 0.68 oz (19.5g) and measures 1.83 x 1 x 1 inches (4.64 x 2.6 x 2.6 cm)