Eckhardite

eckhardite

housleyite

khinite

markcooperite

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Formula: (Ca,Pb)Cu²⁺Te⁶⁺O₅(H₂O)
Tellurate
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 4.644 calculated
Hardness: 2 to 3
Streak: Very pale bluish green
Colour: Light bluish green
Environments

Hydrothermal environments

Localities

There are two co-type localities, the Aga Mine and the Bird Nest drift, both at Otto Mountain, Baker, Soda Mountains, Silver Lake Mining District, San Bernardino county, California, USA.

At the type localities eckhardite occurs in vugs in quartz in association with bromine-rich chlorargyrite, gold, housleyite, khinite, markcooperite and ottoite. It is interpreted as having formed from the partial oxidation of primary sulphides and tellurides during or following brecciation of quartz veins.
Eckhardite forms as light bluish green needles or blades up to about 150 × 15 × 5 mm³ in size, typically in radial or sub-radial aggregates, but also as isolated needles (AM 98.1617-1623).

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