Serpierite

This specimen features robin’s egg-blue aggregates of sparkling serpierite micro-needles, richly covering part the matrix. The vibrant blue coluor of the serpierite may be complemented by another unknown blue mineral. Serpierite, a rare hydrated calcium copper zinc sulfate, was first described in 1881 and named after Giovanni Battista Serpieri, an Italian mining entrepreneur known for developing mines in the Lavrion District of Attiki, Greece. It belongs to the devilline group and is the calcium analogue of aldridgeite. Slightly to moderately soluble in water, serpierite typically occurs as fine, fibrous crystals best observed under magnification. Specimens are rarely available, making this a noteworthy example from an uncommon locality.