Botallackite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Botallackite
Formula:
Cu2(OH)3Cl
Colour:
Mountain-green, bluish green to green; pale bluish green in transmitted light
Specific Gravity:
3.6
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
For the type locality, the Botallack Mine, St. Just, Cornwall.
Polymorph of:
A secondary copper mineral.
NOTE: May be confused with Kapellasite, which has a similar X-ray powder diffraction pattern. Some botallackites contain minor Zn, but the Zn:Cu ratio never approaches that of kapellasite (1:3).
NOTE: May be confused with Kapellasite, which has a similar X-ray powder diffraction pattern. Some botallackites contain minor Zn, but the Zn:Cu ratio never approaches that of kapellasite (1:3).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
732
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:732:8
IMA Classification of Botallackite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2+2Cl(OH)3
Classification of Botallackite
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
10.1.3.1
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
1 : A2(O,OH)3Xq
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
1 : A2(O,OH)3Xq
8.2.6
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
2 : Halides of Cu
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
2 : Halides of Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blk | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Botallackite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Botallackite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Mountain-green, bluish green to green; pale bluish green in transmitted light
Comment:
Soft
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
In one direction perpendicular to Z axis
In one direction perpendicular to Z axis
Density:
3.6 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.6 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Botallackite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.775 nβ = 1.8 nγ = 1.846
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.071
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:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (74°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (74°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
r > v, strong
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
in shades of bluish green
Chemistry of Botallackite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2(OH)3Cl
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Botallackite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.717 Å, b = 6.126 Å, c = 5.636 Å
β = 93.07°
β = 93.07°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.933 : 1 : 0.92
Unit Cell V:
197.10 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Elongate tabular indistinct crystals; also blocky-prismatic crystals.
Comment:
Krause (2006) gives a 5.7155(5), b 6.1255(6), c 5.6336(4) A, beta 93.090(8)°.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0019937 | Botallackite | Zheng X G, Mori T, Nishiyama K, Higemoto W, Yamada H, Nishikubo K, Xu C N (2005) Antiferromagnetic transitions in polymorphous minerals of the natural cuprates atacamite and botallackite Cu2Cl(OH)3 Physical Review B - Condensed Matter 71 174404-8 | 2005 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0014479 | Botallackite | Hawthorne F C (1985) Refinement of the crystal structure of botallackite Mineralogical Magazine 49 87-89 |  | 1985 | Botallack mine, Cornwall, England | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.66 Å | (10) |
| 2.84 Å | (4) |
| 2.68 Å | (3) |
| 2.57 Å | (7) |
| 2.40 Å | (8) |
| 1.93 Å | (3) |
| 1.53 Å | (4) |
Comments:
Recorded on material from the Botallack Mine, Cornwall, England
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 15 : Black/white smoker minerals and other seafloor hydrothermal minerals | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Geological Setting:
In copper-bearing deposits, in areas with high chloride concentrations or weathered while exposed to sea water; a reaction product of slags immersed in sea water; a weathering product of sulphides in subsea black smoker deposits.
Type Occurrence of Botallackite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crusts of minute platy interlaced crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England (No. 36528)
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (No. 100805)
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (No. 100805)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In a copper deposit, in areas weathered while exposed to sea water.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Botallackite
Dutch:Botallackiet
German:Botallackit
Russian:Боталлактит
Simplified Chinese:羟氯铜矿
Spanish:Botallackita
Traditional Chinese:羥氯銅礦
Relationship of Botallackite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Atacamite Group:
| Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| 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-(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:
| 14 photos of Botallackite associated with Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 12 photos of Botallackite associated with Connellite | Cu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O |
| 10 photos of Botallackite associated with Paratacamite | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 9 photos of Botallackite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 7 photos of Botallackite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Botallackite associated with Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| 4 photos of Botallackite associated with Ashburtonite | Pb4Cu4(Si4O12)(HCO3)4(OH)3Cl · H2O |
| 4 photos of Botallackite associated with Laurionite | PbCl(OH) |
| 4 photos of Botallackite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 3 photos of Botallackite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
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.10b | Clinoatacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 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.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 Botallackite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-732.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Botallackite
Reference List:
Church, A. H. (1865) Notes on a Cornish mineral of the atacamite group. Journal of the Chemical Society, 18. 212-214 doi:10.1039/js8651800212
Maskelyne, N. S. (1865) On new Cornish minerals of the brochantite group. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, 14. 392-400 doi:10.1098/rspl.1865.0074
Frondel, Clifford (1950) On paratacamite and some related copper chlorides. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 29 (208) 34-45 doi:10.1180/minmag.1950.029.208.06
Hawthorne, F. C. (1985) Refinement of the crystal structure of botallackite. Mineralogical Magazine, 49 (350) 87-89 doi:10.1180/minmag.1985.049.350.12
Pollard, A. M., Thomas, R. G., Williams, P. A. (1989) Synthesis and stabilities of the basic copper(II) chlorides atacamite, paratacamite and botallackite. Mineralogical Magazine, 53 (373) 557-563 doi:10.1180/minmag.1989.053.373.06
Zheng, X.G; Xu, C.N (2004) Antiferromagnetic transition in botallackite Cu2Cl(OH)3. Solid State Communications, 131 (8). 509-511 doi:10.1016/j.ssc.2004.06.018
Localities for Botallackite
Showing 68 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 | |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Gablina et al. (2017) | |
Australia | |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
Austria | |
| Schnorrer et al. (2008) |
Canada | |
| Norman Wilson personal collection |
| Ronnie Van Dommelen collection. |
Chile | |
| maurizio Dini & Arturo Molina collctions- analysed by EDX & PDF (by dr. Jochen Scluter) |
Ecuador | |
| Embley et al. (1988) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Chauris (2014) |
| P. Le Roch collection |
| www.mine-capgaronne.fr (2003) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Mader et al. (03/2021) |
| Hanneberg et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
| van den Berg et al. (1990) |
| Bender et al. (1994) |
| |
Greece | |
| |
| Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1982a) | |
| Gröbner et al. (2002) |
Ireland | |
| [R. Tayler Minerals catalogue 70 +1 other reference |
| Dr Richard Unitt Collection |
| Braithwaite et al. (2001) |
Isle of Man | |
| Adam Stephens Collection |
Italy | |
| Rivista Mineralogica Italiana (Avril/Juin) |
| De Caro et al. (2023) |
| Muenchener Micromounter-Lithothek |
| Libvrna relazioni mineralogiche number ... |
Japan | |
| Okamoto +3 other references |
Kazakhstan | |
| Evseev (1995) |
Poland | |
| Łukasz Kruszewski PXRD & EPMA data (2019) |
Slovakia | |
| Zajzon N. et al. (2021) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| SAMS (South African Micromount Society) |
Spain | |
| - (2013) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Schlomann et al. (1998) | |
| De Bondt (n.d.) |
| Michael Merry |
| Wolfe et al. (2008) | |
| De Bondt (n.d.) |
| Richard De Nul specimens +1 other reference |
| Reid et al. (1907) |
| J.Chem.Soc. London (1865) |
| Steve Rust collection | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Elton et al. (1995) | |
| Golley et al. (1995) | |
| Peter Haas collection +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Tindle (2008) | |
| Starkey et al. (1998) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1990) |
| Anthony (1997) | |
| Day (1999) |
| NHM London |
| Dossett et al. (1998) |
| David Evans specimen |
| Dave Evans collection | |
USA | |
| Graeme (1993) |
| Rob Bowell |
| Analyzed by the University of Arizona. |
| Rosemeyer (2022) |
| Tom Rosemeyer collection. |
| |
| Rocks & Min. vol. 72 (1997) |
| Washington Geology |
Quick NavTopAbout BotallackiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Levant Mine, Trewellard, St Just, Cornwall, England, UK