Mineralpedia Details for Kambaldaite
Kambaldaite
Named for Kambalda in Western Australia, where Kambaldaite has its type locality. Kambaldaite is a rare secondary mineral that can be found in goethite residues that was formed by the oxidation of violarite-pyrite with associated carbonates and saline groundwater. Localities for Kambaldaite can be found in, additionally, Austria, and Brazil.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/kambaldaite.pdf
- Formula
- NaNi4(CO3)3(OH)3ยท3H2O
- Crystal System
- Hexagonal
- Crystal Habit
- Prismatic, Acicular
- Cleavage
- None, None, None
- Luster
- Vitreous (Glassy)
- Color
- light green, emerald green
- Streak
- light green
- Class
- Hexagonal - Pyramidal
- Hardness
- 3
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Kambaldaite from 132 North mine, Widgiemooltha, Western Australia, Australia
This is a small piece 1.5cm long of bright green, botryidal Gaspeite with several emerald green, glassy, crystalline spheres of Kambaldaite. The spheres, according to the original description from the Type Locality are composed of prismatic, hexagonal crystals. The 132 North mine is one of a number of small ultramafic hosted nickel sulfide deposits in the Widgiemooltha district. Carbonate minerals are found in the enriched zones. Kambaldaite was originally discovered at the Otter Shoot at Kambalda and the 132 North mine was the second known occurence.
