galiumit

Galiumit is a mineral belonging to the sulfate group. Its chemical formula is Cu3(SO4)(OH)2. It is a relatively rare mineral and is typically found in oxidized copper deposits. The mineral was named in honor of its type locality, the Galium mine in the province of Svaneti, Georgia.

Galiumit crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, often forming acicular or fibrous aggregates. It can also occur as encrustations or in massive forms. The color of galiumit is typically a vivid blue to greenish-blue, which is characteristic of copper minerals. It has a vitreous to silky luster and a Mohs hardness of 2.5 to 3.

The formation of galiumit is associated with the weathering and oxidation of copper-bearing sulfide minerals. It is often found in association with other secondary copper minerals such as azurite, malachite, and chrysocolla. Its presence indicates near-surface oxidizing conditions in a mineralized zone.

The type specimen of galiumit is housed in the Vernadsky State Geological Museum in Moscow, Russia. While not a commercially significant mineral, galiumit is of interest to mineral collectors and geologists for its aesthetic appeal and its role in understanding the complex geochemistry of oxidized ore deposits.