PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- GROUP Halogenides
- COMPOSITION Cu2Cl(OH)3
- COLOR Bright green to very dark green
- CRYSTALLINE SYSTEM Rhombic
- CRYSTALLINE HABIT Fine, prismatic
- HARDNESS 3 - 3.5
- FRACTURE Conchoidal, brittle
- EXFOLIATION Perfect, good
- SHINE From adamantine to vitreous
- STRIP Apple green
- TRANSPARENCY from transparent to translucent
- SPECIFIC WEIGHT 3.8
MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The atacamite is a hydroxide copper chloride, a secondary mineral of copper formed through the oxidation of other copper minerals, especially in arid conditions. You can alter to malachite and chrysocolla , creating pseudomorphs. Atatamite forms prismatic, tabular or pseudoctahedral crystals. It is also found in the form of radial rosettes or crystalline, granular, massive and fibrous aggregates.
The name of atacamite refers to the Atacama desert, in Chile, where crystals of atacamite up to 2.5 cm in length have been found.
Deposits: Chile (Atacama), Mexico, United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Russia, Spain, Italy, South Africa, Peru, Austria, Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, China, France, Germany , Greece, Hungary, India and Japan.
THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES
The atacamite is a stone related to unconditional love and healing. It is said to help open the third eye, promoting spiritual connection and visualization. It is a calming and healing stone, so it is often used in situations of stress or tension. It is also used for energetic cleansing of the body. On a curative level, it is said that the atacamite favors the thymus and the immune system.
