Glaucocerinite

specimen number:
2102238

location:
Hilarion Mine, Lavrion, Attica, Greece

description:
From the type locality for the species, beautiful blue crystallized glaucocerinite across one side of matrix. In good condition.

The Hilarion Mine, located within the Kamariza area of the Lavrion District in Attica, Greece, is a legendary locality famous for its complex carbonate-hosted replacement chemistry. Geologically, the mine is situated where hydrothermal fluids interacted with marble and schist contacts, creating extensive oxidation zones rich in rare secondary zinc and copper minerals. It is the type locality for glaucocerinite, a rare hydrated copper zinc aluminum sulfate carbonate that typically occurs as beautiful, sky-blue to turquoise-blue botryoidal crusts or waxy, rounded aggregates. Historically, the mine was part of the ancient Athenian mining complex, but it saw significant modern redevelopment starting in the late 19th century under the Compagnie Francaise des Mines du Laurium. Modern operations at the Hilarion shaft were most active from the 1870s through the mid-20th century, primarily targeting lead and zinc ores. Today, the mine is a premier site for mineralogists, prized for the high quality of its colorful secondary species and its unique geochemical environment that allowed for the formation of rare minerals like glaucocerinite.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.