TAMARUGITE

    Class : Sulfates, chromates, molybdates
    Subclass : Hydrated sulfates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : NaAl(SO4)2 6H2O
    Rarity : Rare

Tamarugite is a hydrated sulfate of secondary origin, observed in the oxidation zone of several deposits, mainly copper-bearing. It owes its name to its discovery location : Cerro Pintados in the Tamarugal pampa (Chile). Tamarugite is a colorless mineral forming thin tabular to short prismatic crystals and, more frequently, fibrous or fine-grained masses.

Main photo : Tamarugite from Golosina mine, Sierra Almagrera, Andalusia, Spain © Christian Rewitzer

Tamarugite in the World

Its best deposits are mainly located in northern Chile where it accompanies sideronatrite; but tamarugite is also present in the United States (Fulton, in mendozite alteration, and Eureka, Missouri), in Cyprus (Skouriotissa), and in several other localities, notably in the sulfur deposit caves of Miseno, near Pozzuoli or Vulcano (Italy).

Right photo : Tamarugite from la Grotta dell'Allume, Vulcano, Italy © Holger Klapproth


Tamarugite in France

In France, tamarugite is known on the island of St-Barthélemy, in the French Antilles.

Twinning

No twinning known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 3
Density : 2.06
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : White

TP : Translucent
RI : 1.484 to 1.497
Birefringence : 0.013
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Water

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None

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