Zaratite

Zaratite is a bright emerald green nickel carbonate mineral with formula Ni3CO3(OH)4·4H2O. Zaratite crystallizes in the isometric crystal system as massive to mammillary encrustations and vein fillings. It has a specific gravity of 2.6 and a Mohs hardness of 3 to 3.5. It has no cleavage and is brittle to conchoidal fracture. The luster is vitreous to greasy.

Zaratite
Zaratite from Tasmania
General
CategoryCarbonates
Formula
(repeating unit)		Ni3CO3(OH)4·4H2O
IMA symbolZar[1]
Strunz classification5.DA.70
Crystal systemIsometric (in part amorphous)
Unit cella = 6.16 Å; Z = 1
Identification
References[2][3][4]

It is a rare secondary mineral formed by hydration or alteration of the primary nickel and iron bearing minerals, chromite, pentlandite, pyrrhotite, and millerite, during the serpentinization of ultramafic rocks. Hellyerite, NiCO3·6H2O, is a related mineral.

It was found originally in Galicia, Spain in 1851, and named after Spanish diplomat and dramatist Antonio Gil y Zárate (1793–1861).[2][4]

See also

References
  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. Mineral Data Publishing, PDF
  3. Webmineral data
  4. Mindat with location data


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