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Mineralpedia Details for Sampleite

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Sampleite

Sampleite

Named to honor Mat sample, a Mine Superintendent for the Chile Exploration Company at Chuquicamata, Chile. Found in few localities in oxidized portions of copper deposits of arid climates, as well as in caves as a result of the reaction between copper sulfides in the walls and phosphate from bat guano. Localities include, additionally, Australia, Namibia, and South Africa, among others.

 Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/sampleite.pdf

Formula
NaCaCu5(PO4)4Cl·5H2
Crystal System
Orthorhombic 
Crystal Habit
Rosette, Lath, Aggregates 
Cleavage
Perfect, Good, Good 
Luster
Pearly 
Color
bluish green, light blue 
Streak
bluish white 
Class
Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal 
Hardness
WebMineral
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Mindat
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Sampleite from Santa Catalina mine, Sierra Gorda, Atacama prov., Chile

Sampleite
            from Santa Catalina mine, Sierra Gorda, Atacama prov., Chile

Tiny blue rosette to about 1mm composed of glassy plates associated with Atacamite (green).

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Sampleite from Chuquicamata mine, El Loa Prov., Antofagasta, Chile

Sampleite
            from Chuquicamata mine, El Loa Prov., Antofagasta, Chile

Bright blue platy crystals in aggregates to about 5mm across associated with green, acicular crystals of probable Olivenite.

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Sampleite from Engaño Feliz mine, Cerro Pinato, Copiapo, Atacama, Chile

Sampleite
            from Engaño Feliz mine, Cerro Pinato, Copiapo, Atacama, Chile

Neon blue platy rosettes to 1.5mm.

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Sampleite from Block 14 Opencut, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Sampleite
            from Block 14 Opencut, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Sky blue thin platy crystals less than 0.5mm throughout matrix.

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Sampleite from Endeavor 26, North Parkes Mine, New South Wales, Australia

Sampleite
            from Endeavor 26, North Parkes Mine, New South Wales, Australia

Neon blue Sampleite plates in clusters to 2.5mm.

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