A large, very rich and complex specimen loaded with secondary species and a feast for the eyes under the microscope. The dominant specie is the Aurichalcite seen on almost every surface of the specimen, but sizable areas of Murdochite are also easily noted. The Murdochite is in tiny crystals on dark botryoids. Other species are noted including Caledonite and what seems to be Zincolibethenite but that is not confirmed. Some blue green rhomb crystals are also noted that may be Aurichalcite on or in Calcite. The piece looks fine as a display item or could be made into dozens or maybe hundreds of Micromounts. An unusually well mineralized specimen from the noted Mina dos Adrianas in Chile.
Linarite with minor Caledonite
stock #8.AE-835
Mina Dos Adrianas, Zapaltar Mining District, Copiapo Province
Atacama Region,
Chile
9.3 x 5.6 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Early summer 2021
A sizable, rich and vividly colored Linarite from the small, little known Dos Adrianas Mine. Several other species are present as well in the Quartz matrix including micros of what looks to be Libethenite. However the main interest here is the Linarite, a crust of deep blue crystals in a dense mat. The deeper vugs have some more isolated crystals as well, best seen and appreciated with magnification. Pretty specimen from a locality that is rarely seen on the market.
