Via Mindat: Chalcanthite is natural, water-soluble copper sulphate pentahydrate. It is a secondary mineral that is formed in arid climates or in rapidly oxidizing copper deposits. It is usually of post-mining formation, forming on mine walls and by the action of acidic surface waters on veins of copper ore.
CAUTION: Many, usually well-crystallised chalcanthite specimens offered for sale (e.g. on-line auctions), are artificially grown.
Lately I've been seeing a lot of people talk about just how toxic certain minerals are and just scaring folks away from them entirely. When they really are not that dangerous. Chalcanthite CAN be dangerous, but only if you eat a metric butt-load of it or inhale a lot of fine powder. Same with certain other copper minerals like malachite. If you are inhaling a lot of dust while cutting it or vapors from leaving it sitting in water for weeks on end, then sure, it can cause problems. But just having it and touching it every once in a while isn't a problem. In the case of malachite, having it as jewelry isn't a problem, either. The issues with toxicity come down to consuming A LOT or inhaling a lot of vapors or dust. Anyway, potatoes are great unless they are fear-mongering a mineral and then turning around and telling you that another one is going to fix your life. Dishonor on you. Dishonor on your family. Dishonor on your cow.
#crystals #gems #nature #tacobell
