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Formula: KAg9Pb26Cu24Cl62(OH)48
Hydroxyhalide, silver-bearing mineral, commonly surficially layered with or
overgrown by the epitaxial minerals cumengeite or
pseudoboleite, mutually parallel to {001} (Mindat).
Specific gravity: 5.054 measured, 5.062 calculated
Hardness: 3 to 3½
Streak: Blue, with greenish tint
Colour: Deep prussian blue to indigo; bluish green in transmitted light
Solubility: Soluble in nitric acid
Environments
Boleite is a secondary mineral formed through reaction of
chloride with primary sulphides in the oxidised zone of
sedimentary lead-copper deposits; in
smelter slag immersed in and leached by sea water
(HOM).
Localities
At the type locality, the Boleo District, Santa Rosalía, Mulegé Municipality, Baja California Sur, Mexico,
boleite occurs in white clay in the oxidised zone of a
lead-copper deposit, formed through
reaction of chloride with primary sulphides. Associated minerals
include pseudoboleite,
cumengeite, atacamite,
paratacamite, anglesite,
cerussite, phosgenite and
gypsum
(HOM, Dana).
At the Mammoth-Saint Anthony mine, St. Anthony deposit, Tiger, Mammoth Mining District, Pinal county, Arizona, USA,
boleite was found in the foundations of an old silver mill, the result
of chemical spills in the mill
(Dana). Associated minerals include pseudoboleite,
anglesite, cerussite,
atacamite, paratacamite,
leadhillite,
paralaurionite, caledonite,
phosgenite, matlockite and
bideauxite
(HOM).
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