Gordaite

Gordaite is a sulfate mineral composed primarily of hydrous zinc sodium sulfate chloride hydroxide with formula: NaZn4(SO4)(OH)6Cl·6H2O. It was named for the discovery location in the Sierra Gorda district of Chile. Gordaite forms as tabular trigonal crystals. Gordaite first appeared after a research dive in September 1984 from the Juan de Fuca Ridge of the northeastern side of the Pacific Ocean. Gordaite was also described from weathered slag deposits as a result of copper smelting in Hettstedt, Germany. The mineral exhibits a hexagonal shape with clear or white (green if cuprian – Cu2+) crystals ranging from planar to broad habit and has a point group of 3. Gordaite commonly occurs near minerals such as sphalerite, boleite and gypsum. The most recent finding occurred in the San Francisco mine in Chile where copper-zinc sulfide deposits were found.