ZAPATALITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Hydrated phosphates
    Crystal system : Tetragonal
    Chemistry : Cu3Al4(PO4)3(OH)9 4H2O
    Rarity : Very rare

Zapatalite is a double phosphate of aluminum and copper occurring in the oxidation zone of copper deposits. It was named in honor of Emiliano Zapata, hero of the Mexican Revolution. It is a very rare mineral, pale blue in color, which occurs as poorly crystallized botryoidal incrustations and cavity fillings. It usually replaces other secondary copper minerals (libethenite and pseudomalachite), and can transform into chrysocolla.

Main photo : Zapatalite from Miguel Vacas Mine, Évora, Portugal © Fernandez Oscar

Zapatalite in the World

It is a very rare mineral that is known from only a handful of deposits in the world, including Cerro Morita (Mexico) where it was defined, but also Miguel Vacas Mine (Portugal) which produced the best specimens, Snowstorm prospect (Nevada) and Spring Creek Mine (Australia).

Right photo : Zapatalite from Miguel Vacas Mine, Évora, Portugal © Christian Rewitzer

Zapatalite in France

Zapatalite is not present in the French underground.

Twinning

No twinning known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 1.5
Density : 3.016
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Pale blue

TP : Translucent
RI : 1.635 to 1.646
Birefringence : 0.010
Optical character : Uniaxial -
Pleochroism : Low
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Hydrochloric acid

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None

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