Palygorskite

Virtual Museum ID: 19-EKM16

Specimen Summary


Palygorskite or attapulgite is a magnesium aluminium phyllosilicate. It occurs in clay soils that are common in southeastern U.S. with some smaller deposits in Mexico. In pre-Columbian times it was used to manufacture a bright azure blue pigment by ancient cultures such as the Maya & Aztec. Palygorskite has a prismatic crystal(2/m) class and waxy/earth lustre. Palygorskite is also known as mountain leather.

Specimen Data

 

The information listed below relates to the current holding location or collection that the sample is from, and whether the item is viewable at that location or is part of a private collection. Coordinates are given as guides, and we remind you that collecting specimens from these locations is not allowed. Caution is advised visiting such sites and Below BC assumes no responsibility for any injuries or trespassing charges that may occur as a result of the viewer entering these sites.

Collection Details

Original Collection:

East Kootenay Chamber of Mine (EKM)

Sub Collection:

-

Collection ID:

EKM_16

Virtual Museum ID:

19-EKM16

Accessibility:

Date Added to VM:

2019-06-14

Location Information

Sample Origin:

-

Specific Site:

-

UTM Easting:

589168

UTM Northing:

5485036

Datum:

11 (NAD 83)

Coordinate Accuracy:

Approximate

Specimen Details

VM Category:

Mineral

Primary Features:

Palygorskite

Primary Mineral Formula:

(Mg,Al)5(Si,Al)8O20(OH)2 · 8H2O

Primary Category:

silicate

Secondary Features:

Advanced Geological Information

 

The following section provides geological data relating to the specimen or the site it was collected from, when available. Information has been obtained from various sources including private and government datasets but may not be up to date. Any geological time periods or ages listed often relate to the primary geology of the area, and may not be the actual date of an event such as mineral formation.

Geological Formation:

N/A

Geological Period:

N/A

Stratigraphic Age:

N/A

Geological Belt:

N/A

Geological Terrane:

N/A

Minfile ID:

N/A

Minfile Link:

N/A

Site Details:

N/A

Additional Images