Melanterite, Razorback Mine, Dundas, Tasmania
Mineral Matters #732
I visited the Razorback open cut a couple of times in the 1990s. This was one of only a few mineral specimens that I found there, and is of course, post-mining. I suspect that it is now probably a pile of dust in a box somewhere in my garage. Melanterite is one of those sulphate minerals that doesn’t play well with moisture, and can also dehydrate if the environment is too dry.
Photographed by me (and likely last seen) in the 1990s, and recently digitised.
Below: Green melanterite, Razorback Mine, Dundas, Tasmania.
Steve. Sulphate minerals often seem to present stability problems with moisture; deliquescence, efflorescence etc. Similarly with sulphides with water and oxygen, eg pyrite decay. A few chlorides and carbonates as well, and minerals with high water of crystallisation.
In an ideal world storage in argon or nitrogen in tightly sealed containers might offer a solution.
In museum systematic collections, the sulphates often seem to present a sorry sight, especially if the show case is exposed to the warmth of direct sunlight during the day. One just has to try your best and accept casualties I guess.