location unknown, probably Chile, labeled as Bolivia

EX. Philadelphia Academy of Sciences, Ex. Dr Carl Riemann, Gorlitz

Na₂Cu(SO₄)₂·2H₂O

This specimen is a bit of a mystery. It definitely looks like Krohnkite with its bright blue color. The only problem is, I could find no mention of a location of Krohnkite from Bolivia. Nor could I find a location in Bolivia that matched the old German label. The only place where large massive specimens occur is in Chile. The type location, the Chuquicamata Mine, is the most likely place the specimen came from. The green material is possibly Natrochalcite. The old German label using a synonym, Kronnkite, is from a mineral dealer who was active in the 1880s and 1890s in Gorlitz, Germany (for further information see the following link in the Mineralogical Records label archives http://www.minrec.org/labels.asp?colid=978 ). The label from the Philadelphia Academy, indicates they also had trouble with the location for this label. Another curiosity is the fact the German label is over 100 years old but the acension number from the Academy is very recent and one of the lastest I have seen.

6.5 x 5.5 x 3.3 cm

Sold Specimen retained as part of the Minerals Sold But Not Forgotten Galleries