Free standing crystals of the very rare new mineral leverettite (IMA 2013-11, a copper cobalt oxychloride) from the only known locality worldwide: Torrecillas Mine, Salar Grande, Iquique, Tarapacá Region, Chile. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Leverettite
Leverettite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the halide class, with the chemical formula Cu₃CoCl₂(OH)₆.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group R-3m). It is a member of the Atacamite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 3.64; Light green streak; Vitreous luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Lve, IMA status: approved, named in 2013.
Found as a secondary mineral in a weathered vein of copper and arsenic minerals.
It is found associated with Akaganeite, anhydrite, chalcophanite, goethite, halite, manganite, pyrite, quartz, todorokite.
The mineral was named to honor Peter Leverett (b. 1944), professor of Chemistry, University of Western Sydney, Australia.