Ceruleite

Very rare mineral from the phosphates, arsenates and vanadates class.

^{Ceruleite from the type lacolity in Chile}

Origin of name: from Latin caeruleus for sky blue

Synonyms and trade names: coeruleit

Can be confused with: turquoise, lazulite, amazonite, chrysocolla, aragonite

Localities: ceruleite is extremly rare. Mindat.org lists only 20 deposits (Dec. 2024)
Type locality is Emma Luisa Mine, Guanaco Mine, Taltal, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile
Other deposits are in Australia, France, England (Cornwall), Greece, Portugal, South Africa and Namibia (Tsumeb)

Handling: soluble in hydrochloric and nitric acid as well as potassium hydroxide (caustic potash)