Chalconatronite

chalconatronite

atacamite

cuprite

bronze

Images

Formula: Na₂Cu(CO₃)₂.3H₂O
Hydrated carbonate
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 2.27 measured, 2.31 calculated from synthetic material
Colour: Greenish blue to pale blue
Solubility: Partly decomposed by water, completely soluble in cold acid with effervescence
Environments

Hydrothermal environments

Chalconatronite is a rare secondary copper mineral; it can crystallise on the surface of archaeological copper objects (artefacts) which have been treated with an aqueous Na₂CO₃ solution in order to stabilise them (Mindat).

Localities

The type locality is Egypt. Chalconatronite has been found as a fine-grained, greenish-blue crust, originally found as an alteration of bronze artefacts. Associated minerals include atacamite and cuprite (Mindat).

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