Coquimbite

Item Description

Coquimbite is an uncommon complex hydrated sulfate found in the secondary weathering zone of iron sulfide deposits in arid regions and rarely in fumaroles. Good crystallized specimens are few and far between. There are only a handful of localities that produce really nice coquimbites, and a serious discovery of this mineral was made in 2009 at the Javier Mine in Peru that produced what are the finest examples of the species extant. The sharp translucent crystals on this piece when backlit show a strong/vibrant purple hue, despite the fact that it has some iron-staining on the surface. The crystals, to 5 mm, are very well-formed for the material, and for the size of the specimen, this is a very fine example of a mineral that few collectors have in their collections. The attached matrix is a nice touch to this small cabinet specimen.