Outstanding white acicular crystals of the mineral currierite (IMA 2016-030) from the type and only known locality worldwide: Torrecillas Mine, Salar Grande, Iquique, Tarapacá Region, Chile. Associated mineral is minoritary pink magnesiokoritnigite. Currierite was named in honour of the late Rock Currier well known mineral dealer, Mindat manager, collector, author and lecturer. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Currierite
Currierite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the arsenate class, with the chemical formula Na₄Ca₃MgAl₄(AsO₃OH)₁₂·9H₂O.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P622).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2; specific gravity 3.08; White streak; Vitreous to silky luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Cur, IMA status: approved, named in 2016.
A secondary alteration phase from the oxidation of native arsenic and other As-bearing primary phases, followed by later alteration by saline fluids derived from evaporating meteoric water under hyperarid conditions.
It is found associated with Anhydrite, canutite, chudobaite, halite, lavendulan, magnesiokoritnigite, quartz, scorodite, torrecillasite.
The mineral was named to honor Rock Henry Currier (1940-2015), American mineral dealer, collector, author and lecturer for his unrelenting efforts to benefit the greater mineralogical community.