Zaratite

  Zaratite is a bright emerald green nickel carbonate mineral with formula Ni₃CO₃(OH)₄·4H₂O. Zaratite crystallizes in the isometric crystal system as massive to mammillary encrustations and vein fillings. It has a specific gravity of 2.6 and a Mohs hardness of 3 to 3.5. It has no cleavage and has a brittle to conchoidal fracture. The luster is vitreous to greasy.

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It is a rare secondary mineral formed by hydration or alteration of the primary nickel and iron bearing minerals, chromite, pentlandite, pyrrhotite, and millerite, during the serpentinization of ultramafic rocks. Hellyerite, NiCO₃·6H₂O, is a related mineral.

It was found originally in Galicia, Spain in 1851, and named after Spanish diplomat and dramatist Antonio Gil y Zarate (1793-1861).

See also

• List of minerals
• List of minerals named after people

References

• Mineral Data Publishing, PDF
• Webmineral data
• Mindat with location data