Category Sulfate minerals Strunz classification 7.FA.05 | Formula
(repeating unit) K2(CrO4) Crystal system Orthorhombic | |
Crystal class Dipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) Color bright yellow, yellow-orange | ||
Tarapacaite is the mineral form of potassium chromate with the chemical formula K2CrO4. It forms bright yellow crystals and was discovered in 1878. It is named for the former Tarapacá Province, Peru; nowadays belonging to Chile. The boundaries between Peru, Bolivia and Chile were vague in the Atacama Desert before the War of the Pacific (1879–1883). Its type locality is Oficina Maria Elena, Maria Elena, Tocopilla Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile. It is unlikely to occur anywhere except in highly arid conditions as it is easily soluble in water.
References
Tarapacaite Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA