sampleite

{{Infobox mineral | name = Sampleite | category = Phosphate minerals | boxwidth = | boxbgcolor = | image = Sampleite 04.JPG | imagesize = 260px | caption = | formula = NaCaCu5(PO4)4Cl•5(H2O) | IMAsymbol = Smp | molweight = 875.95 g/mol | strunz = 8.DG.05 | system = Monoclinic | class = Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) | symmetry = P21/n or P21/c | unit cell = a = 9.7 Å, b = 38.4 Å c = 9.65 Å; β = 90.07°; Z = 4 | color = Light blue to blue-green | habit = Aggregates, lath, rosette | twinning = | cleavage = Perfect on {010}; good on {100} and {001} | fracture = | tenacity = | mohs = 4 | luster = Pearly | refractive = nα = 1.629 nβ = 1.677 nγ = 1.679 | opticalprop = Biaxial (−) | 2V = Measured: 5° to 23° | birefringence = δ = 0.050 | pleochroism = X = deep blue, blue-green; Y = light blue, turquoise blue; Z = turquoise-blue, colorless | streak = Light Blue | gravity = 3.2 | density = | melt = | fusibility = | diagnostic = | solubility = | diaphaneity = Transparent | other = | references = }} Sampleite has a general formula of NaCaCu5(PO4)4Cl·5(H2O). It was first described in 1942 for an occurrence in Chuquicamata, Chile and was named after Mat Sample, a mine superintendent for the Chile Exploration Company.

Sampleite is monoclinic. It belongs to the space group P21/n or P21/c. In a thin section it has a high surface relief and will have sharp boundaries with the surrounding medium. Sampleite is anisotropic and has visible pleochroism and birefringence.