Vibrant Blue Chalcanthite on Sandstone - Poland

This is a natural specimen containing chalcanthite on sandstone, collected from the Lubin Copper Mine in Poland. The vibrant blue crystals on this specimen formed as thin parallel fibers, some of which have visible terminations.

Natural chalcanthite can be hard to come by and is considered relatively rare. Its chemical composition is CuSO4 · 5H2O, meaning it forms in oxidative zones of copper mines. When naturally formed, the crystals are usually botryoidal, tabular and/or prismatic in shape. Chalcanthite crystals are also known to form in veins as masses of parallel fibrous crystals, and will typically display a vibrant blue coloration.

Chalcanthite crystals are relatively simple to form synthetically: unfortunately, this means that fake specimens listed as natural are on the market.

One additional note: best not to leave it in direct sunlight. It will begin to decompose fairly rapidly in high heat.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Chalcanthite
LOCATION
Lubin Copper Mine, Lower Silesia, Poland.
SIZE
2" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#61757