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Chalconatronite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Chalconatronite
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).
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 Identifiers
Mindat ID:
954
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:954:8
IMA Classification of Chalconatronite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Na2Cu2+(CO3)2·3H2O
First published:
1955
Type description reference:
Classification of Chalconatronite
5.CB.40
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
B : With large cations (alkali and alkali-earth carbonates)
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
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
2 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p > 1:1
11.2.4
11 : Carbonates
2 : Carbonates of Cu
11 : Carbonates
2 : Carbonates of Cu
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Chna | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Chalconatronite
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 Chalconatronite
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.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
None to Very Low
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
Z ⊥ flattening; Y ‖ elongation; Z ∧ c = very small.
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X= nearly colorless
Y= pale blue
Z= blue
Y= pale blue
Z= blue
Chemistry of Chalconatronite
Mindat Formula:
Na2Cu(CO3)2 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Chalconatronite
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°
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 Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010801 | Chalconatronite | Mosset A, Bonnet J J, Galy J (1978) Structure cristalline de la chalconatronite synthetique: Na2Cu(CO3)2*3H2O Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 148 165-177 |  | 1978 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 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 Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest 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 Chalconatronite
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.
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 Chalconatronite
Dutch:Chalconatroniet
German:Chalkonatronit
Chalconatronit
Chalconatronit
Russian:Хальконатронит
Simplified Chinese:蓝铜钠石
Spanish:Chalconatronita
Traditional Chinese:藍銅鈉石
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Chalconatronite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 6 photos of Chalconatronite associated with Juangodoyite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 |
| 3 photos of Chalconatronite associated with Sanrománite | Na2CaPb3[CO3]5 |
| 3 photos of Chalconatronite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 2 photos of Chalconatronite associated with Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Chalconatronite associated with Hydromagnesite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 1 photo of Chalconatronite associated with Northupite | Na3Mg(CO3)2Cl |
| 1 photo of Chalconatronite associated with Cornwallite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 1 photo of Chalconatronite associated with Georgeite | [Cu(OH)2-x(H2O)x][CO3]x/2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.CB. | Piilonenite-(Nd) | NaNd(CO3)2(H2O)3 |
| 5.CB. | Paulišite | Ca2Zn(CO3)3 · 2H2O |
| 5.CB.05 | Thermonatrite | Na2CO3 · H2O |
| 5.CB.10 | Natron | Na2CO3 · 10H2O |
| 5.CB.15 | Trona | Na3H(CO3)2 · 2H2O |
| 5.CB.20 | Monohydrocalcite | CaCO3 · H2O |
| 5.CB.25 | Ikaite | CaCO3 · 6H2O |
| 5.CB.30 | Pirssonite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 · 2H2O |
| 5.CB.35 | Gaylussite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 · 5H2O |
| 5.CB.45 | Baylissite | K2Mg(CO3)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.CB.50 | Tuliokite | Na6BaTh(CO3)6 · 6H2O |
Other Information
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 Chalconatronite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-954.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Chalconatronite
Reference List:
Localities for Chalconatronite
Showing 28 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| MacLeod (1991) |
| Pryce et al. (1974) +4 other references |
Austria | |
| Pichler (2009) |
Canada | |
| A. McDonald & RRUFF data |
Chile | |
| Maurizio Dini +1 other reference |
Czech Republic | |
| Jakub Plasil |
| Plášil et al. (2013) |
Egypt (TL) | |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1981) +1 other reference |
| T Thieme collection |
| Weiß (1990) |
| King et al. (1987) |
| 58 (in German) +1 other reference |
| Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1991) | |
| Knoll (2004) |
| Hofmann (1992) +1 other reference |
Namibia | |
| Desor (10/2023) |
Poland | |
| Łukasz Kruszewski PXRD & EPMA data (2018) |
Spain | |
| Joan Abella Creus finds and analyses by ... +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
USA | |
| Haynes (1992) +1 other reference |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| Rosemeyer (2007) | |
| R&M 74:3 p160-176 |
| Kampf et al. (2018) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
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R-IX shaft, Komorniki, Gmina Polkowice, Polkowice County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland