Home > Mexico IV Ojuela II – January 19 > MS1748 Austinite (cuprian) with Calcite
Austinite (cuprian) with Calcite
- Mina Ojuela
- Mapimí
- Durango
- Mexico
- 3.9 × 3.3 × 2.7 cm – Miniature specimen (fits into a 5 cm cube)
Austinite is a hydrous calcium zinc arsenate. The mineral has the same crystal structure as conichalcite, with which it forms a series. Staples (1935) named the species after Austin Flint Rogers (1877-1957), mineralogist at Stanford University. Austinite is a so-called allochromatic mineral, one without inherent color derived from its ideal chemistry. Substitution of copper for zinc readily imparts the dark green coloration evident in this example.
Austinite forms scattered 1 mm curved crystals scattered over limonite matrix. A white calcite crystal, 1.2 cm, provides contrast. This material dates to the mid 1950s or early 1960s. This specimen was part of the Charles Trantham (1936-2020) estate. Attractive.
Price: $75
Item code: MS1748
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