Aurichalcite

Aurichalcite is a carbonate mineral, usually found as a secondary mineral in copper and zinc deposits. The zinc to copper ratio is about 5:4. Copper gives aurichalcite its green-blue colors.

Aurichalcite typically occurs in the oxidized zone of copper and zinc deposits. It was first described in 1839 by Bottger who named the mineral for its zinc and copper content after the Greek, for “mountain brass” or “mountain copper”, the name of a fabulous metal.

Aurichalcite displays prismatic crystals often in the form of encrustations and sometimes columnar structures. The crystal system is monoclinic.