Paratacamite-(Mg)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Paratacamite-(Mg)
Formula:
Cu3(Mg,Cu)(OH)6Cl2
Colour:
Medium to deep-green colour
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
3.50
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named after its structural relationship with paratacamite and the magnesium content.
Type Locality:
Substituted derivative of paratacamite. Mg-analogue of paratacamite and paratacamite-(Ni). Chemically related to feodosiyite.
The crystal structure is based on sheets of edge-sharing CuCl2(OH)4 octahedra typically showing Jahn-Teller distortion. Two octahedral sites, M1 and M2, are located between the adjacent sheets and occupied by Cu and Mg. There is a statistical distribution of Mg between the two sites, both with occupancy of 60%.
The crystal structure is based on sheets of edge-sharing CuCl2(OH)4 octahedra typically showing Jahn-Teller distortion. Two octahedral sites, M1 and M2, are located between the adjacent sheets and occupied by Cu and Mg. There is a statistical distribution of Mg between the two sites, both with occupancy of 60%.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
43878
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:43878:6
Similar Names
| Paratacamite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 |
| Paratacamite-(Ni) | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu3(Ni,Cu)(OH)6Cl2 |
IMA Classification of Paratacamite-(Mg)
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+3(Mg,Cu2+)Cl2(OH)6
Approval year:
2013
First published:
2013
Type description reference:
Kampf, A. R., Sciberras, M. J., Leverett, P., Williams, P. A., Malcherek, T., Schlüter, J., Welch, M. D., Dini, M., Molina Donoso, A. A. (2013) Paratacamite-(Mg), Cu3(Mg,Cu)Cl2(OH)6; a new substituted basic copper chloride mineral from Camerones, Chile. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (8) 3113-3124 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.8.06
Classification of Paratacamite-(Mg)
3.00.
3 : HALIDES
0 :
0 :
3 : HALIDES
0 :
0 :
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pata-Mg | 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 Paratacamite-(Mg)
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Medium to deep-green colour
Streak:
Light-green
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
One perfect cleavage on {201}.
One perfect cleavage on {201}.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
3.50(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.551 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Paratacamite-(Mg)
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = > 1.8 nε = 1.785(5)
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Comments:
Slight pleochroism: O (bluish green) > E (green)
Chemistry of Paratacamite-(Mg)
Mindat Formula:
Cu3(Mg,Cu)(OH)6Cl2
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Paratacamite-(Mg)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:
R3
Setting:
R3
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.689(1) Å, c = 14.025(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.025
Unit Cell V:
2,276.02 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Twinning:
Twinning by reflection on {101} is common, thus forming prisms elongated on [212]
Comment:
R3İ
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.469 Å | (87) |
| 4.686 Å | (26) |
| 2.904 Å | (34) |
| 2.762 Å | (100) |
| 2.265 Å | (81) |
| 1.819 Å | (26) |
| 1.710 Å | (34) |
| 1.380 Å | (19) |
Locality:
Reference:
Kampf, A. R., Sciberras, M. J., Leverett, P., Williams, P. A., Malcherek, T., Schlüter, J., Welch, M. D., Dini, M., Molina Donoso, A. A. (2013) Paratacamite-(Mg), Cu3(Mg,Cu)Cl2(OH)6; a new substituted basic copper chloride mineral from Camerones, Chile. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (8) 3113-3124 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.8.06
Comments:
From Type Description.
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 Paratacamite-(Mg)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Rhombs and thick to thin prisms up to 0.3 mm in size. Forms observed: {201} and {001}.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA, catalogue numbers 64041, 64042 and 64043
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation of copper minerals followed by upward circulation of chloride bearing solutions.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Kampf, A. R., Sciberras, M. J., Leverett, P., Williams, P. A., Malcherek, T., Schlüter, J., Welch, M. D., Dini, M., Molina Donoso, A. A. (2013) Paratacamite-(Mg), Cu3(Mg,Cu)Cl2(OH)6; a new substituted basic copper chloride mineral from Camerones, Chile. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (8) 3113-3124 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.8.06
Synonyms of Paratacamite-(Mg)
Other Language Names for Paratacamite-(Mg)
Dutch:Paratacamiet-(Mg)
German:Paratacamit-(Mg)
Relationship of Paratacamite-(Mg) 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 |
| Clinoatacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl | Mon. 2/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-(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
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.00. | Fluornatrocoulsellite | CaNa3AlMg3F14 |
| 3.00. | Panichiite | (NH4)2SnCl6 |
Other Information
Notes:
Easily soluble in dilute HCl.
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 Paratacamite-(Mg)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-43878.html
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References for Paratacamite-(Mg)
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2013) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2013. CNMNC Newsletter No 16. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (6) 2695-2709 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.6.01
Kampf, A. R., Sciberras, M. J., Leverett, P., Williams, P. A., Malcherek, T., Schlüter, J., Welch, M. D., Dini, M., Molina Donoso, A. A. (2013) Paratacamite-(Mg), Cu3(Mg,Cu)Cl2(OH)6; a new substituted basic copper chloride mineral from Camerones, Chile. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (8) 3113-3124 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.8.06
Localities for Paratacamite-(Mg)
Showing 1 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.
Chile (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2013) +2 other references |
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Cuya NE5 chloride occurrence, Cuya, Los Camarones valley, Arica Province, Arica y Parinacota, Chile