Tapiaite with Joteite

Availability

Sold

Size

5 x 3 x 3 cm - Miniature 

Formula

Ca₅Al₂(AsO₄)₄(OH)₄ 12H₂O (RRUFF)

Locality

Jote mine, Pampa Larga dist., Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó, Atacama, Chile

This is a new IMA mineral recently approved. Tapiaite forms tiny clear lath-like crystals less than 0.03mm in size. Impossible to capture with my photo set-up, these crystals can nonetheless be seen in the photos as all the hundreds or thousands of reflections all over most of the matrix. It is associated with light bluish green Joteite. This is a fabulous, rich specimen.

XRD Confirmed, EDS Confirmed, Type & Only Locality, New IMA