Outstanding deep blue acicular crystals of triazolite (IMA 2017-025) associated to pale blue salmiac. Triazolite has only been found in one locality worldwide: Pabellon de Pica, Chanabaya, Iquique Province, Tarapacá Region, Chile. The second natural (mineral) triazolate to be discovered. It is a metalorganic ammine complex in which 1,2,4-triazolate anion and ammonia molecule are ligands coordinating Cu2+. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Triazolite
An organic mineral — a sodium-copper triazolate — found only in Chile's guano-influenced Pabellón de Pica.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Triazolite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the organic mineral class, with the chemical formula NaCu₂(N₃C₂H₂)₂(NH₃)₂Cl₃·4H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group P2_12_12_1).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2; specific gravity 2.028; Blue streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Tzl, IMA status: approved, named in 2017.
Found in cavities near the contact of a guano deposit with the host rock in a desert.
It is found associated with Dittmarite, joanneumite, chanabayaite, nitratine, natroxalate, möhnite, salammoniac, halite.
Alludes to the presence of the 1, 2, 4-triazolate anion.