Nantokite on Cuprite (rare)

Item Description

Nantokite is a rare member of the Chlorargyrite group, chemically it's an anhydrous copper chloride. The mineral starts out as colorless, and according to the entry on mindat.org, it alters to either Clinoatacamite or Paratacamite when exposed to air, turning a pale green color. So technically this piece is likely either Clinoatacamite or Paratacamite, due to the alteration on the surface, but I can still see some white/colorless spots under magnification, so it hasn't completely altered. With that said, this piece is labeled as coming from the Teutonic Bore Mine in Western Australia, and is the only example we've ever had to offer in the auctions. This piece features a central vug hosting soft green colored aggregates of Nantokite, altering to either Clinoatacamite or Paratacamite, associated with Cuprite on oxidized matrix. A cool rarity from an unlikely locale.
From the collection of Colin Manlove.