Mineral Ajoite
Chemical Composition: (K,Na)Cu7Al(Si3O8)3(OH)6 – 3H2O
Hydrated Potassium Sodium Copper Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide
Belongs to the Silicates mineral class
Ajoite is a very rare mineral crystal with great appeal to serious mineral collectors and metaphysical users and crystal healers. Massive samples of Ajoite are used as ornamental stones when splendidly carved. Small crystals commonly appear in aquamarine-like blue green color in prismatic form when viewed with polarized light microscopy. Most specimens are in excellent micro crystal formation.
It was first discovered in the year 1958 at New Cornelia mine in Ajo, Pomona County, Arizona by the Papago Indian tribe. The name Ajoite was derived from the name of the locality “Ajo” where it was discovered. It is considered as a secondary mineral formation from the oxidation of some other copper minerals. This mineral is also used as an ore of copper.
When examined under a polarizing petrographic microscope, attractive blue green to light green colors exhibit a splendid view. It also shows dull to vitreous luster in reflected light in polarized light microscopy. Specimens occur in transparent to translucent appearance. Streak appears to be greenish white in color. It exhibits perfect cleavage when viewed under a petrographic polarizing microscope. Its hardness is known to be 3.5. Specific gravity is approximately 2.9 – 3.0 which is considered average for non-metallic minerals. In quartz crystals, they usually appear as light blue phantoms. They became popular because of their celestial blue color.
Their crystal formation is commonly triclinic with acicular to thin prismatic crystal inclusions. Some of these are often found as spherules. They may also occur in acicular radial crystals as sprays. These crystals are often arranged in tufts and are known to be in prismatic form. Massive specimens may also come in a handy. These massive forms can be easily examined under a polarizing petrographic microscope. Ajoite mineral exhibits a moderate surface relief when viewed under a petrographic microscope. Its figure is biaxial positive with large axial angle. When viewed with techniques in polarized light microscopy, it shows a weak birefringence and quite strong dispersion. Sometimes it exhibits a lath-shaped crystal similar to a small, thin plaster lath that is rectangular in shape. They may also appear in uniform large crystal masses and sometimes in sheet crystal forms. Several other forms and habits will be visible with the aid of a polarizing petrographic microscope.
Ajoite is associated with rare copper minerals. It has limited occurrence in very few localities. They can be mined in New Cornelia Mine, Ajo District, Pima County and Wickenburg, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, and in Messina District, South Africa, which was closed down in1992 due to dangerous tunnels. The Messina Copper Mine was dynamited and concreted to close. This is why, nowadays, Ajoite minerals are becoming rarer and almost impossible to obtain.
