Anatase Locality: Ferruginosa mine, Cabo de Palos Range, Cartagena, Murcia, Spain Collection and photograph Christian Rewitzer. EDS & PXRD confirmed — Photo: Christian Rewitzer · CC BY-SA 3.0
Caracolite
Caracolite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula Na₂(Pb₂Na)(SO₄)₃Cl.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P6_3/m). It is a member of the Apatite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4.5; specific gravity 5.1; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Cco, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1886.
A rare secondary mineral found in the oxidized zone of chlorine-rich lead deposits.
It is found associated with Boleite, pseudoboleite, bindheimite, anglesite, galena (Beatriz mine, Chile); atacamite, boleite, osarizawaite–beaverite, paratacamite (Herminia mine, Chile).
The name refers to Caracoles, a town near the Beatriz mine, Chile.