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⇱ Chalconatronite: Mineral information, data and localities.

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Chalconatronite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About ChalconatroniteHide

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Formula:
Na2Cu(CO3)2 · 3H2O
Colour:
Greenish-blue to pale blue
Specific Gravity:
2.27
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For the chemical composition
Type Locality:
Rare secondary copper mineral.

Note: Chalconatronite can crystallise on the surface of archaeological Cu objects (artefacts) which have been treated with an aqueous Na2CO3 solution in order to stabilise them (Pollard et al., 1990).


Unique IdentifiersHide

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Mindat ID:
954
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:954:8

IMA Classification of ChalconatroniteHide

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Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1955

Classification of ChalconatroniteHide

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5.CB.40

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
B : With large cations (alkali and alkali-earth carbonates)
15.2.3.1

15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
2 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p > 1:1
11.2.4

11 : Carbonates
2 : Carbonates of Cu

Mineral SymbolsHide

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As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
ChnaIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of ChalconatroniteHide

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Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Greenish-blue to pale blue
Comment:
Soft
Density:
2.27(3) g/cm3 (Measured)    2.31 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Calculated from synthetic material

Optical Data of ChalconatroniteHide

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Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.483 nβ = 1.53 nγ = 1.576
2V:
Measured: 70° , Calculated: 86°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.093
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.

Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.

Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
Z ⊥ flattening; Y ‖ elongation; Z ∧ c = very small.
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X= nearly colorless
Y= pale blue
Z= blue

Chemistry of ChalconatroniteHide

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Mindat Formula:
Na2Cu(CO3)2 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O50.776 %
Cu22.408 %
Na16.213 %
C8.471 %
H2.133 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of ChalconatroniteHide

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Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.7 Å, b = 6.09 Å, c = 13.82 Å
β = 91.92°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.593 : 1 : 2.269
Unit Cell V:
815.93 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Fine grained crusts of pseudohexagonal plates or laths, massive, blebs, films.
Comment:
Synthetic

Crystal StructureHide

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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0010801ChalconatroniteMosset A, Bonnet J J, Galy J (1978) Structure cristalline de la chalconatronite synthetique: Na2Cu(CO3)2*3H2O Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 148 165-177👁 Image
1978synthetic0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
6.92 Å(100)
4.17 Å(80)
3.69 Å(70)
7.76 Å(40)
2.85 Å(40)
2.99 Å(30)
2.88 Å(30)
Comments:
From formations on Egyptian bronze art. Data from Gettens and Frondel (1955).

Geological EnvironmentHide

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Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals<10 Ka
57 : Other minerals formed by human processes
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral in oxidation zones

Type Occurrence of ChalconatroniteHide

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General Appearance of Type Material:
Fine-grained, greenish-blue crust,
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Canadian Geological Survey, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 17254.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 105297.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 112695.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Originally found as alteration of bronze artifacts.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Other Language Names for ChalconatroniteHide

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Common AssociatesHide

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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
7 photos of Chalconatronite associated with MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
6 photos of Chalconatronite associated with JuangodoyiteNa2Cu(CO3)2
3 photos of Chalconatronite associated with SanromániteNa2CaPb3[CO3]5
3 photos of Chalconatronite associated with CalciteCaCO3
2 photos of Chalconatronite associated with AragoniteCaCO3
1 photo of Chalconatronite associated with Georgeite[Cu(OH)2-x(H2O)x][CO3]x/2
1 photo of Chalconatronite associated with HydromagnesiteMg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O
1 photo of Chalconatronite associated with NorthupiteNa3Mg(CO3)2Cl
1 photo of Chalconatronite associated with CornwalliteCu5(AsO4)2(OH)4

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

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5.CB.PaulišiteCa2Zn(CO3)3 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
5.CB.05ThermonatriteNa2CO3 · H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmm
5.CB.10NatronNa2CO3 · 10H2OMon. 2/m : P2/m
5.CB.15TronaNa3H(CO3)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m
5.CB.20MonohydrocalciteCaCO3 · H2OTrig. 3 : P31
5.CB.25IkaiteCaCO3 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
5.CB.30PirssoniteNa2Ca(CO3)2 · 2H2OOrth. mm2 : Fdd2
5.CB.35GaylussiteNa2Ca(CO3)2 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
5.CB.45BaylissiteK2Mg(CO3)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
5.CB.50TuliokiteNa6BaTh(CO3)6 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3

Other InformationHide

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Notes:
Partly decomposed by water, completely soluble in cold acid with effervescence.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for ChalconatroniteHide

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mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-954.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

References for ChalconatroniteHide

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Reference List:

Localities for ChalconatroniteHide

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This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 👁 Image
symbol to view information about a locality. The 👁 Image
symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

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👁 Image
- This locality has map coordinates listed. 👁 Image
- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. 👁 Image
- Good crystals or important locality for species. 👁 Image
- World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia
  • Western Australia
    • Exmouth Shire
MacLeod (1991)
    • Menzies Shire
      • Menangina Station
Pryce et al. (1974) +4 other references
Austria
  • Carinthia
    • Spittal an der Drau District
      • Radenthein
        • Erlacher Bock
Pichler (2009)
Canada
  • Québec
    • Montérégie
      • La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM
        • Mont Saint-Hilaire
A. McDonald & RRUFF data
Chile
  • Tarapacá
    • Iquique Province
      • Santa Rosa-Huantajaya mining district (Huantajaya mining district)
Maurizio Dini +1 other reference
Czech Republic
  • Karlovy Vary Region
Jakub Plasil
    • Karlovy Vary District
      • Jáchymov
        • Rovnost Mine
Plášil et al. (2013)
Egypt (TL)
Germany
  • Hesse
    • Kassel Region
      • Hersfeld-Rotenburg
        • Nentershausen
          • Süß
            • Richelsdorf Smelter
Weiß (1990)
  • Lower Saxony
    • Goslar District
      • Braunlage
Weiß (1990)
      • Clausthal-Zellerfeld
        • Oberschulenberg
Schnorrer-Köhler (1981) +1 other reference
  • North Rhine-Westphalia
    • Arnsberg
      • Hochsauerlandkreis
        • Bestwig
          • Ramsbeck
T Thieme collection
        • Meschede
Weiß (1990)
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Rhein-Lahn-Kreis
      • Lahnstein
        • Friedrichssegen
King et al. (1987)
      • Loreley
        • Braubach
58 (in German) +1 other reference
Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1991)
  • Saxony-Anhalt
    • Mansfeld-Südharz
      • Mansfeld
Knoll (2004)
  • Saxony
Hofmann (1992) +1 other reference
Namibia
  • Oshikoto Region
    • Tsumeb
Desor (10/2023)
Poland
  • Lower Silesian Voivodeship
    • Polkowice County
      • Gmina Polkowice
        • Komorniki
Łukasz Kruszewski PXRD & EPMA data (2018)
Spain
  • Catalonia
    • Lleida
      • Pallars Jussà
        • La Vall Fosca
          • La Torre de Cabdella
            • Castell-estaó
Desor (2018)
Switzerland
  • Vaud
    • Aigle
      • Bex
Stalder et al. (1998)
USA
  • Colorado
    • San Miguel County
Haynes (1992) +1 other reference
  • Michigan
    • Houghton County
      • Calumet Township
        • Centennial Heights
Heinrich et al. (2004)
Rosemeyer (2007)
    • Ontonagon County
      • White Pine
R&M 74:3 p160-176
  • Utah
    • San Juan County
      • Red Canyon Mining District
Kampf et al. (2018)
  • Virginia
Dietrich (1990)
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