THE MINERAL PAPAGOITE

  • Chemistry: CaCuAlSi2O6(OH)3; Calcium Copper Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide
  • Class: Silicates
  • Subclass: Cyclosilicates
  • Uses: Only as a mineral specimen
  • Specimens
Papagoite is another rare copper silicate from the mines of Arizona, USA. It is found at only one mine in Arizona, the New Cornelia Mine, Ajo District in Pima County. The only other world-wide location is at Messina, Transvaal, South Africa. The Arizona mine is the type locality. Papagoite is one of only a few four membered ring silicates. These silicates have four silicate tetrahedrons linked into a ring forming a distorted square-like structural element. Papagoite is named for the Papago Indian tribe of Arizona. It forms as a secondary mineral on slip surfaces and in veins in altered granodiorites.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Color is a dark sky blue in crystals and a paler blue in massive veins.
  • Luster is vitreous to dull.
  • Transparency: crystals are translucent.
  • Crystal System is monoclinic; 2/m.
  • Crystal Habits include tiny flattened, elongated crystals sometimes formed into spherical aggregates and massive vein filling material.
  • Cleavage is imperfect in one direction.
  • Hardness is 5 - 5.5
  • Specific Gravity is approximately 3.3 (slightly above average for non-metallic minerals)
  • Streak is pale blue.
  • Associated Minerals are limited to aurichalcite, ajoite, barite, shattuckite and limonite.
  • Notable Occurrences include the New Cornelia Mine, Ajo District in Pima County, Arizona, USA and Messina, Transvaal, South Africa.
  • Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, associations, color and locality.
PAPAGOITE specimens:
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PAPAGOITE specimen pap-1
$ 50.00
Dims: 1.6 x 0.9 x 0.7" (4.0 x 2.4 1.9 cm)
Wt: 16 g
New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima County, Arizona, U.S.A.
Two crusts of intermixed massive Papagoite and ajoite rest on the granodiorite base of this small hand specimen. Neither mineral shows any crystal form, and both appear to have a similar color, making it difficult to discern them from each other. Close examination will show that several very thin, almost parallel veins of the material run through the host rock, which has a pinkish-brown color.
no photo
pap-1 ($ 50.00)
New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima County, Arizona, U.S.A.
PAPAGOITE specimen pap-2
$ 60.00
Dims: 2.4 x 1.3 x 1.3" (6.0 x 3.2 x 3.2 cm)
Wt: 1.7 oz. (48 g)
New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima County, Arizona, U.S.A.
A few thin Papagoite crusts coat one face of the base of this hand specimen. The crusts are in good condition, showing little human-induced damage, and one of them shows a dull sparkle, possibly indicating the presence of microscopic crystals. The Papagoite has a beautiful, deep aqua-blue coloration and a dull luster, apart from the dull sparkle.
no photo
pap-2 ($ 60.00)
New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima County, Arizona, U.S.A.
PAPAGOITE specimen pap-4
$ 120.00
Dims: 2.8 x 1.7 x 0.8" (7.2 x 4.2 x 2.1 cm)
Wt: 2.0 oz. (58 g)
New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima County, Arizona, U.S.A.
Crusts and veins of massive Papagoite coat and permeate the pale brown matrix rock of this cabinet piece. The Papagoite shows no crystal form whatsoever and has a moderately deep to pale aqua-blue color and a dull waxy to matte luster. Other copper minerals such as ajoite and chrysocolla may be present, but laboratory analysis would be necessary for verification.
no photo
pap-4 ($120.00)
New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima County, Arizona, U.S.A.
PAPAGOITE specimen pap-3
$ 70.00
Dims: 1.6 x 1.3 x 0.5" (4.0 x 3.2 x 1.2 cm)
Wt: 0.4 oz. (12 g)
New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima County, Arizona, U.S.A.
This thumbnail piece consists of a pale brown host rock through which extend several veins of massive Papagoite. Two of these veins act as crusts that coat both main faces of the base. There is no crystal form visible anywhere on the piece, precluding a damage assessment. The material has a brilliant aqua-blue coloration and a waxy luster, and appears to be at least dimly translucent. A few related copper minerals may also be present. This piece has a shape that makes me think of setting it into a custom bail for a pendant.
no photo
pap-3 ($ 70.00)
New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima County, Arizona, U.S.A.
 

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