Paratacamite

Formula: Cu2(OH)3Cl

Origin of name: from Greek para = similar and atacamite

 

Crystal system: hexagonal

Crystal class: -3

Twinning: common on {10-11} may be polysynthetic

Unit cell: a = 11.83 Å, c = 6.17 Å

 

Colour: green to greenish black

Diaphaneity: 

Luster: vitreous, earthy to dull

Habit: crystals rhombohedral, twinned, massive, granular, powdery incrustations

Hardness: 3

Specific gravity: 3.74

Cleavage: 1; {10-11} good

Tenacity: conchoidal to uneven

Streak: 

 

Synonyms/varieties: anarakite (Zn-rich variety)

 

Comments: trimorphous with atacamite and botallackite

 

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