#halide mineral

[hyper-coasters]

Fluorite - CaF2; From the Spar Mountain Mine in Rock, Illinois.

Pure Fluorite is actually clear, and it is impurities within the mineral makeup of the crystals that causes the colors. Most common colors are yellow, green, blue, and purple, whereas more rare or less common colors are red, brown, black, and white.

[mineraloftheday-blog]

Mineral Of The Day #104: Atacamite

Mohs Hardness Scale: 3-3.5 Category: halide mineral Formula: Cu2Cl(OH)3

Fun Facts:

Atacamite is a rare mineral and a minor ore of copper.

It forms in arid climates where copper minerals are exposed to oxidation.

Atacamite is named for the Atacama Desert (in Chile) where it was originally found, one of the driest places in the world.

It has a deep green color, making it a popular mineral specimen!