The oxygen atom in their chemistries might require their classification in the Oxides Class of minerals except that their structures are more tied to the halide elements and the oxygens and hydroxides are kind of superfluous to the overall structure. Some other members of the Oxyhalides and Hydroxyhalides include boleite , chloroxiphite , kelyanite , botallackite , laurionite , paralaurionite , mendipite , fiedlerite , pinchite , penfieldite , yedlinite , atacamite , koenenite , diaboleite , zirklerite and paratacamite . Of these, only atacamite and boleite are common enough to be seen at rock shows and in rock shops with regularity. Color is colorless, white, pale violet to lavender. Luster is adamantine.
Crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal Habits include cubic crystals that envelope boleite crystals and often completely replace them. Cleavage is absent. Fracture is uneven. Hardness is 3. Streak is white.