What is "sampleite"

n. (context mineralogy English) An orthorhombic-dipyramidal mineral containing calcium, chlorine, copper, hydrogen, magnesium, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium.

Sampleite has a general formula of NaCaCu(PO)Cl•5(HO). It was first described in 1942 for an occurrence in Chuquicamata, Chile and was named after Mat Sample, a mine superintendent for the Chile Exploration Company.

Sampleite is orthorhombic, which means crystallographically, it contains 3 unequal axes with angles that are 90°. It belongs to the space group 2/m. In a thin section it has a high surface relief and will have sharp boundaries with the surrounding medium. Sampleite is anisotropic and has visible pleochroism and birefringence.

It is characteristically found in earthy crusts in a highly sericitized rock and is present in highly oxidized conditions near the surface. When it occurs as micaceous rosettes and aggregates it can be associated with dendrites of manganese and iron oxides. Sampleite appears to be the most recent mineral deposited with the exception of gypsum.