Class : Halides
    Subclass : Chlorides
    Crystal system : Cubic
    Chemistry : CuCl
    Rarity : Very rare

Nantokite is a very rare copper chloride. It is a secondary mineral present in the oxidation zone of copper deposits, where it accompanies other secondary copper minerals (cuprite, atacamite, native copper, etc...). It is exceptional in volcanic fumaroles. Its name comes from its place of discovery : Nantoko (Chile). Nantokite is colorless or white, weathering to grayish or greenish. It rarely forms lamellae, more commonly granular masses or tetrahedra. By exposure to air it transforms into paratacamite.

Main photo : Nantokite partially decomposed in paratacamite from Baratti slags, Tuscany, Italy © Marco Bonifazi

Twins are known on {111}.

No fakes recorded for this mineral species.