Dark violet crystal aggregates of joannneumite (IMA 2012-001), from Pabellon de Pica, Chanabaya, Iquique Province, Tarapacá Region, Chile. The mineral is a chemical oddity because is a mixture of two organic compounds (ammine-cianurate) and an inorganic compound (copper). It is the first organometallic mineral in Nature. Associated mineral is pale blue greenish salammoniac, on grandodiorite matrix. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Joanneumite
The first recognized isocyanurate mineral — a copper-nitrogen compound confirmed in 2012, matching a synthetic analogue atom-for-atom.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Joanneumite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the organic mineral class, with the chemical formula Cu(C₃N₃O₃H₂)₂(NH₃)₂.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 1; specific gravity 2.02; Pale violet streak; Vitreous luster.
IMA symbol Joa, IMA status: approved, named in 2012.
Formed in cracks in gabbro by the convergence of solutions derived from the oxidation of disseminated Cu mineralization and nitrogen-rich guano in an arid region.
It is found associated with Salammoniac, dittmarite, möhnite, gypsum, chanabayaite, antipinite.
The mineral was named to honor the Universalmuseum Joanneum, Graz, Austria which had its bicentennial in 2011.