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Formula: K2Ca2Cu(SO4 )4.2H2O
Hydrated sulphate
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 2.95 measured, 2.95 calculated
Hardness: 3
Colour: Pale blue, greenish blue; pale blue in transmitted light
Environments
Localities
At the type locality, the Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile,
leightonite occurs as bladed crystals on fractured rock surfaces and in cross-fibre veins. It is limited to
within about fifty yards of the original surface, below which it is not found. Minerals found with it are chiefly
atacamite and kröhnkite,
never antlerite. Leightonite was found only under conditions of
low acidity
(AM 23.11.721).
Other associated minerals include natrochalcite,
blödite, bellingerite,
gypsum and quartz
(HOM).
Leightonite from the Chuquicamata Mine -
Image
At the Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia, leightonite is associated with
chalcanthite, anhydrite and
lammerite
(HOM).
Leightonite from the Tsumeb Mine -
Image
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