Formula: Cu₃(Cu,Zn)(OH)₆Cl₂

Species: Halides

Colour: Green to greenish-black.

Lustre: Vitreous

Hardness: 3

Specific Gravity: 3.72 – 3.74

Crystal System: Trigonal

Member of: Atacamite Group

Name: Named for its relationship to atacamite.

Co-Type Localities: Generosa Mine, Caracoles, Caracoles mining district, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile.  Herminia Mine, Caracoles, Caracoles mining district, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta – Chile

A secondary copper mineral. Easily confused with the closely related Clinoatacamite. Derivatives are paratacamite-(Mg) and paratacamite-(Ni). Also closely related to Herbertsmithite and Gillardite   Paratacamite contains essential zinc; therefore it is not a polymorph of atacamite.