Arhbarite (Picture width: 4 mm) Locality: El Guanaco Mine, Guanaco (Huanaco), Santa Catalina, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile — Photo: Christian Rewitzer · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Arhbarite
A copper-magnesium arsenate named for the Arhbar mine in Morocco's Drâa-Tafilalet region.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Arhbarite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the arsenate class, with the chemical formula Cu₂Mg(AsO₄)(OH)₃.
It crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system (space group P1). It is a member of the Gilmarite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5; specific gravity 3.71; Sky-blue streak; Vitreous luster.
IMA symbol Arh, IMA status: approved, named in 1981.
Found as a rare secondary mineral in polymetallic hydrothermal ore deposits.
It is found associated with Dolomite, hematite, löllingite, pharmacolite, erythrite, talc, mcguinnessite (Arhbar mine, Morocco); chrysocolla, brochantite, olivenite, iodargyrite.
The name refers to the Arhbar (Aghbar) mine, Morocco, where the mineral was first found.