Erythrite with Phlogopite, Quartz

specimen number:
2341235

location:
Tazalaght, Taroudant, Souss-Massa, Morocco

description:
Beautiful lustrous prismatic magenta purple crystals of erythrite measuring to 1.3 cm in length across the front of matrix with micro phlogopite and minor quartz. In great condition and displays beautifully. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Jan Erik Larsen and dates to 2015.

Situated in the Taroudant Province within the Souss-Massa Region of southwestern Morocco, the Tazalaght deposit lies along the western Anti-Atlas mountain range. Geologically, the region features Precambrian basement formations overlain by Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian quartzites and sedimentary sequences that host significant copper and cobalt-bearing primary sulfide mineralization. Extensive weathering of these deposits generated rich oxidized supergene zones containing arsenates and carbonates. Modern commercial mining operations, notably expanded by major Moroccan mining companies since 2011, focus primarily on copper extraction. During these operations, collectors and mineralogists discovered striking secondary occurrences of erythrite, a hydrous cobalt arsenate mineral formed through the oxidation of primary cobalt sulfides. Mineral collectors value Tazalaght erythrite specimens for their vibrant magenta-pink to crimson-red colors, intricate radial clusters, and sharp crystalline coatings.

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