Outstanding white crystals of the very rare arsenate mineral chudobaite from a new discovery in Torrecillas mine (Salar Grande, Iquique, Tarapacá Region, Chile). — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chudobaite
Chudobaite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the arsenate class, with the chemical formula Mg₅(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₂·10H₂O.
It crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system (space group P-1). It is a member of the Lindackerite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5–3; specific gravity 2.94; Good [sic] luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Cdb, IMA status: approved, named in 1960.
Found in a deep oxidation zone of a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit.
It is found associated with Conichalcite, cuprian adamite, zincian olivenite, ferrilotharmeyerite, chalcocite.
The mineral was named to honor Dr. Karl Franz Chudoba (1898–1976), Professor of Mineralogy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.