Paratacamite with Malachite

A very showy and fine quality display specimen of the rare copper zinc hydroxyl halide Paratacamite from the famous Lily Mine in Peru. The finest examples of this mineral are found at the Lily Mine, and only a few pockets with fine crystals have been discovered. As the name implies, the species is related to Atacamite, but contains zinc, which Atacamite does not, and the crystals are notably trigonal and not the typical fibrous form seen in Atacamite.

This piece hosts several razor sharp, "wet"-looking / vitreous, trigonal crystals of Paratacamite with the classic rich forest green color. The largest crystal measures up to 7 mm across and the group is sitting beautifully on a bed of sparkling Quartz matrix with a minor "spray" of acicular green Malachite at the base. Fine quality for the species, and certainly worth picking up if you collect copper minerals, Peruvian minerals or just aesthetic display pieces of rare species.

Specimen #TUC31708