Wonderful specimen of sea-blue Salammoniac crystals decorating snow white Lecontite from Coronel Manuel Rodriguez mine, Chile. The find was made in a locality just outside the Coronel Manuel Rodriguez mine. According to the information the locality was collected out. The initial identification was made by the mineralogy department of the University of Atacama as Krohnkite for the blue minerals and Blodite for the white one. In a new study held by Mineralanalytik the blue mineral was identified as Salammoniac with inclusion of copper ions. The Salammoniac is a rare mineral composed of ammonium chloride. The white was identified as Lecontite. The Salammoniac crystals are well shaped and translucent. They have marvelous rich sea-blue color and matt luster. The Lecontite is covered by white coating. New analysis identified that the white coating consists of two rare sulfates Mascagnite and Thenardite. The specimen is water soluble so it is NOT recommended to wash it. If it is stored in dry air environment it will stay as it is. If it is stored in wet air environment the Lecontite will absorb humidity from the air and it will become translucent. When returned in dry air environment it will become white again. It is recommended to keep it in a box. In very good condition.

Splendid!