Clinoatacamite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Clinoatacamite
Formula:
Cu2(OH)3Cl
Colour:
Green to dark greenish-black, greenish-blue.
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.77 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in allusion to its monoCLINic morphology and relationship to atacamite.
Type Locality:
Polymorph of:
Easily confused with the closely related paratacamite.
Note that "anatacamite", originally considered a triclinic dimorph, was later recognised as twinned clinoatacamite and discredited.
Note that "anatacamite", originally considered a triclinic dimorph, was later recognised as twinned clinoatacamite and discredited.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1065
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1065:4
IMA Classification of Clinoatacamite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+2Cl(OH)3
Approval year:
1993
Classification of Clinoatacamite
3.DA.10b
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
A : With Cu, etc., without Pb
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
A : With Cu, etc., without Pb
Dana 7th ed.:
10.1.2.2
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Cata | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Clinoatacamite
Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Green to dark greenish-black, greenish-blue.
Streak:
Green to white.
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {012}
Perfect on {012}
Fracture:
Step-Like
Density:
3.77 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Clinoatacamite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.83 nβ = 1.85 nγ = 1.88
2V:
Measured: 75° , Calculated: 80°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.050
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
strong
Chemistry of Clinoatacamite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2(OH)3Cl
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Clinoatacamite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.157(2) Å, b = 6.814(3) Å, c = 9.105(5) Å
β = 99.65(4)°
β = 99.65(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.904 : 1 : 1.336
Unit Cell V:
376.58 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Pseudo-rhombohedral; complex intergrowths/twins.
Twinning:
Very common, on {100}.
Comment:
Space Group: P21/n.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0017750 | Clinoatacamite | Malcherek T, Schluter J (2009) Structures of the pseudo-trigonal polymorphs of Cu2(OH)3Cl Acta Crystallographica B65 334-341 |  | 2009 | Santa Catalina mine, Sierra Gorda district, Chile | 0 | 293 |
| 0017749 | Clinoatacamite | Malcherek T, Schluter J (2009) Structures of the pseudo-trigonal polymorphs of Cu2(OH)3Cl Acta Crystallographica B65 334-341 | | 2009 | Vendida mine, Sierra Gorda district, Chile | 0 | 293 |
| 0017751 | Clinoatacamite | Wills A S, Henry J Y (2008) On the crystal and magnetic ordering structures of clinoatacamite, gamma-Cu2(OD)3Cl, a proposed valence bond solid Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter 20 472206-8 | 2008 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005478 | Clinoatacamite | Grice J D, Szymanski J T, Jambor J L (1996) The crystal structure of clinoatacamite, a new polymorph of Cu2(OH)3Cl The Canadian Mineralogist 34 73-78 |  | 1996 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.47 Å | (100) |
| 2.742 Å | (70) |
| 2.767 Å | (60) |
| 2.266 Å | (60) |
| 2.243 Å | (50) |
| 1.704 Å | (50) |
| 2.887 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Clinoatacamite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As complex
intergrowths of crystals and twinned grains,
intergrowths of crystals and twinned grains,
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M32176.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Clinoatacamite
Other Language Names for Clinoatacamite
Dutch:Clinoatacamiet
Russian:Клиноатакамит
Simplified Chinese:斜氯铜矿
Spanish:Clinoatacamita
Traditional Chinese:斜氯銅礦
Relationship of Clinoatacamite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Atacamite Group:
| Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| Botallackite | Cu2(OH)3Cl | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Gillardite | Cu3Ni(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Haydeeite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Herbertsmithite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Hibbingite | Fe2+2(OH)3Cl | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| Iyoite | MnCuCl(OH)3 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Kapellasite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Kempite | Mn2+2(OH)3Cl | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| Kuliginite | Fe3Mg(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Leverettite | Cu3Co(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Misakiite | Cu3Mn(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Paratacamite | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Paratacamite-(Mg) | Cu3(Mg,Cu)(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Paratacamite-(Ni) | Cu3(Ni,Cu)(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Tondiite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| 'Unnamed (Cu-Zn Chloride Hydroxide)' | CuZnCl(OH)3 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 73 photos of Clinoatacamite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 34 photos of Clinoatacamite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 27 photos of Clinoatacamite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 27 photos of Clinoatacamite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 22 photos of Clinoatacamite associated with Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 11 photos of Clinoatacamite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 10 photos of Clinoatacamite associated with Boleite | KPb26Ag9Cu24(OH)48Cl62 |
| 8 photos of Clinoatacamite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 7 photos of Clinoatacamite associated with Claraite | (Cu,Zn)15(CO3)4(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)14 · 7H2O |
| 6 photos of Clinoatacamite associated with Yakhontovite | (Ca,Na)0.5(Cu,Fe,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.DA. | Parahibbingite | Fe2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA. | Centennialite | CaCu3Cl2(OH)6 · nH2O (n ~ 0.7) |
| 3.DA. | Bounahasite | Cu+Cu2+2(OH)3Cl2 |
| 3.DA. | Muonionalustaite | Ni3(OH)4Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA.05 | Melanothallite | Cu2Cl2O |
| 3.DA.10c | Haydeeite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Paratacamite | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Kapellasite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Leverettite | Cu3Co(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10a | Hibbingite | Fe2+2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Paratacamite-(Ni) | Cu3(Ni,Cu)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10a | Kempite | Mn2+2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Tondiite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10a | Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10b | Belloite | Cu(OH)Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Misakiite | Cu3Mn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10b | Iyoite | MnCuCl(OH)3 |
| 3.DA.10c | Kuliginite | Fe3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Gillardite | Cu3Ni(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10b | 'Unnamed (Cu-Zn Chloride Hydroxide)' | CuZnCl(OH)3 |
| 3.DA.10b | Botallackite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Herbertsmithite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.15 | Claringbullite | Cu4ClF(OH)6 |
| 3.DA.15 | Barlowite | Cu4BrF(OH)6 |
| 3.DA.20 | Simonkolleite | Zn5Cl2(OH)8 · H2O |
| 3.DA.25 | Buttgenbachite | Cu19(NO3)2(OH)32Cl4 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.25 | Connellite | Cu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O |
| 3.DA.30 | Abhurite | Sn21Cl16(OH)14O6 |
| 3.DA.35 | Ponomarevite | K4Cu4Cl10O |
| 3.DA.40 | Calumetite | CaCu4(OH)8Cl2 · 3.5H2O |
| 3.DA.40 | Anthonyite | Cu(OH,Cl)2 · 3H2O |
| 3.DA.45 | Khaidarkanite | Cu4Al3(OH)14F3 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.50 | Bobkingite | Cu5Cl2(OH)8 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.55 | Avdoninite | K2Cu5(OH)4Cl8 · H2O |
| 3.DA.60 | Droninoite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA.70 | Chrysothallite | K6Cu6Tl3+Cl17(OH)4 · H2O |
| 3.DA.70 | Dioskouriite | CaCu4Cl6(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA.75 | Feodosiyite | Cu11Mg2Cl18(OH)8 · 16H2O |
| 3.DA.80 | Romanorlovite | K8Cu6Cl17(OH)3 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Clinoatacamite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1065.html
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References for Clinoatacamite
Reference List:
Grice, Joel D., Szymański, J. T., Jambor, J. L. (1996) The crystal structure of clinoatacamite, a new polymorph of Cu2(OH)3Cl. The Canadian Mineralogist, 34 (1) 73-78
Jambor, John L., Dutrizac, John E., Roberts, Andrew C., Grice, Joel D., Szymanski, Jan T. (1996) Clinoatacamite, a new polymorph of Cu2(OH)3Cl, and its relationship to paratacamite and "anarakite". The Canadian Mineralogist, 34 (1) 61-72
Jambor, John L., Dutrizac, John E., Roberts, Andrew C., Grice, Joel D., Szymanski, Jan T. (1996) Clinoatacamite, a new polymorph of Cu2(OH)3Cl, and its relationship to paratacamite and "anarakite". The Canadian Mineralogist, 34 (1) 61-72
Wills, A S; Henry, J-Y (2008) On the crystal and magnetic ordering structures of clinoatacamite, γ-Cu2(OD)3Cl, a proposed valence bond solid. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 20 (47). 472206 doi:10.1088/0953-8984/20/47/472206
Malcherek, Thomas, Schlüter, Jochen (2010) Anatacamite from La Vendida mine, Sierra Gorda, Atacama desert, Chile: a triclinic polymorph of Cu2(OH)3Cl. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen, 187 (3) 307-312 doi:10.1127/0077-7757/2010/0180[as both clinoatacamite and "anatacamite" (later found to be twinned clinoatacamite and discredited)]
Localities for Clinoatacamite
Showing 74 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Gablina et al. (2006) |
| Gablina et al. (2017) | |
| Gablina et al. (2018) | |
| Gablina et al. (2017) | |
Australia | |
| McLean et al. (2004) |
| Pring et al. (2000) |
| Peter Elliott |
| The identification was made by Dr Peter ... |
| Colchester et al. |
| Downes et al. (2006) |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2013) |
| Auer (2026) |
| Auer (2026) |
Chile | |
| SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy by Joy ... |
| SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy by Joy ... | |
| SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy by Joy ... | |
| SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy by Joy ... |
| analysed material from dr. Jochen Schluter (curator Hamburg mineralogical museum) | |
| SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy by Joy ... | |
| Malcherek et al. (2010) | |
| samples analysed by Jochen Schlüter |
| Jambor et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Raman Spectroscopy |
| C. Ruiz Fuller/F. Peebles (1988) | |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schlüter (Hamburg University) |
| samples were analysed by Robert Jenkins ... |
| T. Kampf analysis |
| Personally collected by Günter Frenz |
| SEM-EDS +1 other reference |
| Personally collected by Günter Frenz | |
| SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy by Joy ... |
| Samples analysed as "anatacamite" (later found to be twinned clinoatacamite) |
| SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy by Joy ... |
| Personally collected by Günter Frenz |
China | |
| Kaiyin Bai and Zhaoxin Han (2007) |
Germany | |
| Gerhard Möhn Collection Analyzed by ... |
| |
| Markus Gerstmann collection (SXRD-analysed by Uwe Kolitsch) |
Greece | |
| Gröbner et al. (2002) |
| Möckel (2000) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2014) |
Iran | |
| Jambor et al. (1996) |
Ireland | |
| Braithwaite et al. (2001) |
Italy | |
| Pellino et al. (2025) |
| De Caro et al. (2023) |
| Rögner et al. (2000) |
| Marco Bonifazi collection |
Mexico | |
| Jones et al. (2021) +1 other reference |
Morocco | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection |
Norway | |
| Husdal (2019) |
| Larsen et al. (2020) |
Papua New Guinea | |
| Renno et al. (2004) |
Peru | |
| Richard Dale Collection |
Russia | |
| Pekov et al. (2011) |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (2023) |
| Valladares et al. (2021) |
| in Spanish version (Revista de Minerales) +1 other reference |
| Favreau (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
| Ko Jansen +1 other reference |
| Calvo Rebollar (2006) |
| Calvo et al. (2008) |
| Mineralogía de la concesión San Rafael |
| issuu.com (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| issuu.com (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
UK | |
| Christine Rust collection |
| Hubbard et al. (2005) |
| [J.Russell Soc. 1998:38] |
| Starkey et al. (1998) |
USA | |
| XRD-analysed as "anatacamite" (later found to be twinned clinoatacamite) |
| Raman analyzed at the University of ... |
| PXRD analyzed by Tony Kampf. +2 other references |
| Raman analyzed at the University of ... |
| collected by and in the collection of ... +1 other reference |
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La Vendida Mine, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile