Chalcanthite
/ˈkæl.kən.θaɪt/noun
A blue-green mineral, hydrated copper sulfate, often forming in arid copper-rich deposits.
Did you know?The name ultimately comes from Greek words for copper and flower, because ancient mineral names often described crystals as if they were blooming from stone.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
χαλκάνθιον (khalkánthion)
“Copper sulfate or a coppery mineral salt, from words for copper and flower”
Late Latin
Latin
chalcanthum
“A copper sulfate substance”
Medieval Latin
Latin
chalcanthita
“A mineral or salt associated with copper sulfate”
16th Century
English
chalcanthite
“A mineral name adopted from scholarly mineralogical Latin”
Modern English
English
chalcanthite
“Hydrated copper sulfate mineral”