ATACAMITE
Specimen ata-6
$ 52.00Dims: 2.5 x 1.7 x 1.1" (6.4 x 4.3 x 2.8 cm)
Wt: 2.32 oz. (65.5 g)
La Farola Mine, Cerpp Pintada, Region 3, Chile
Scores of tiny orthorhombic Atacamite blades cover part of the iron-rich host rock of this small specimen. Some of these crystals achieve visible lengths of 5 or 6 mm, but the majority are half that length or less. They are generally in good condition, though there are a few small areas of noticeable damage to the crust that they form. All have a deep green coloration and a bright vitreous luster. While individual crystals are transparent and quite clear, most of these are so heavily intergrown that their clusters show only a dim translucence. Interestingly, some of the crystals have grown parallel to their host rock, whereas the rest grow outwards in almost radial sprays. There is another, smaller crust of the "parallel-growth" crystals on the side of the piece that is opposite the large crust, part of which is still buried in the host rock.