Atacamite, La Farola Mine, Chile

The world's best atacamite (a copper halide) comes from the La Farola Mine in Chile. Like most atacamites from La Farola, this specimen shows lustrous radial crystal sprays. This specimen might benefit from trimming but, as a geologist, I prefer specimens showing their full context. Originally obtained from the Geological Museum at the University of British Columbia, a collector has had this hidden on her shelf since the 1970s until now. Ex Sarah Topham & Geological Museum - University of British Columbia collections. From: La Farola Mine, Copiapo Province, Atacama, Chile. Dimensions: 8 cm x 15 cm