Lazaraskeite, Glycolate

This specimen showcases light blue, masses of lazaraskeite and copper glycolate on matrix. Most of the Lazaraskeite exists as soft masses but some crystals can be found under magnification. Lazarskeite is an exceptionally rare mineral, named after Warren Lazar and Beverly Raskin, who discovered it while prospecting for meteorites in the Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona. It is notable as the first naturally occurring organic mineral containing glycolate.

Lazaraskeite forms in two polytypes: M1, with more equant crystals, and M2, which forms bladed crystals elongated along the c-axis. This discovery not only highlights the potential for finding more glycolate minerals but also suggests they may serve as natural reservoirs for biologically fixed carbon. The mineral was officially described in American Mineralogist (Vol 107, 2022).