3.25" Striking Green Conichalcite Formation - Utah

Striking Green Conichalcite Formation - Utah #284964

This is a beautiful formation of striking green conichalcite microcrystals that formed as botryoidal aggregates, formed in association with numerous flecks of brownish goethite and a cluster of whitish quartz. It was collected from the Gold Hill Mining District of Tooele County in western Utah. It closely resembles cornwallite, another green copper-based mineral found in this mine that also forms in botryoidal formations.

Conichalcite is an arsenate mineral that forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of copper deposits. Often it will bear a vibrant green color, though it will display a variety of colors from grass-green to yellow-green. It is the arsenic-rich end member of the series, and calciovolborthite is the vanadium-rich end member.

Conichalcite contains a significant amount of poisonous arsenic, making it somewhat toxic. Therefore, washing hands following handling of conichalcite specimens is recommended.

Chemical formula: CaCu(AsO4)(OH)

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