Sampleite from Jingemia Cave, Western Australia

Abstract

SummarySampleite from Jingemia Cave, Watheroo (30° 16′ S. 116° 00° E.), 190 km north of Perth, Western Australia is derived from the alteration of copper sulphides in contact with guano deposits. Associated minerals are atacamite, weddellite, and gypsum on goethite and manganese-oxide-coated friable quartz rock. Birnessite, halite, dolomite, taranakite, todorokite, apatite, and malachite are also present.The sampleite occurs as platy spheroidal aggregates to 0·3 mm with D 3·20±0·01, α 1·625 ∥ [010], β and γ 1·674, all ±0·002, α Turquoise Green 41d to Light Blue-Green 39d, β and γ Benzol Green 41 to Venice Green 41b, absorption α < β = γ, 2Vα 5–10°. Chemical analyses are given.Cu3(PO4)2·3H2O, a corrosion product reported on artifacts, is believed to be sampleite. A further occurrence of sampleite has been recorded from Brookton, 120 km ESE. of Perth. The structurally related mineral lavendulan has been reported from five Western Australian localities.