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Zaratite
An emerald-green hydrated nickel carbonate — glassy encrustations known as 'emerald nickel'.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Zaratite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the carbonate class, with the chemical formula Ni₃(CO₃)(OH)₄·4H₂O.
It crystallizes in the amorphous crystal system. It is a member of the Amorphous structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3.5; specific gravity 2.57–2.69; Vitreous to greasy luster.
IMA symbol Zar, IMA status: questionable, named in 1850.
An uncommon secondary mineral produced through alteration of chromite, pentlandite, pyrrhotite, and millerite in serpentinites and ultramafic rocks.
It is found associated with Brucite, hydromagnesite, calcite, aragonite, dolomite.
The mineral was named to honor Antonio Gil y Zarate (1793–1861), Spanish dramatist.