Cyanotrichite

Cyanotrichite
Cyanotrichite
General
Category Sulfate minerals
Chemical formula Cu4Al2[(OH)12|SO4]·2H2O
Strunz classification 07.DE.10
Identification
Color sky-blue, azure-blue
Crystal system orthorhombic
Mohs scale hardness 1-3
Luster silky
Streak light blue
Specific gravity 2.76

Cyanotrichite is a copper aluminium sulfate mineral, Cu4Al2[(OH)12|SO4]·2H2O, also known as lettsomite, very similar to halotrichite, and a member of the same group. However, it is much rarer. It forms velvety aggregates of extremely fine fibres and radial aggregates. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and forms translucent bright blue acicular crystal clusters or drusey coatings. The Mohs hardness is 2 and the specific gravity ranges from 2.74 to 2.95. Refractive indices are nα=1.588 nβ=1.617 nγ=1.655. It is an oxidation product of primary copper mineralization in a weathering environment with abundant aluminium and sulfate. Associated minerals include brochantite, spangolite, chalcophyllite, olivenite, tyrolite, parnauite, azurite and malachite.

The main deposits are Cap la Garrone in the Var (France), Romania and Arizona (USA). Because of its beautiful colouring, it is very popular with collectors.

It was first described in 1839 from Moldova Nouă, Banat, Romania. The name is from Greek kyaneos for "blue" and triches for "hair" referring to the typical color and habit.

References



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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cyanotrichite — Cyanotrichite[1] Catégorie VII : sulfates, sélénates tellurates, chromates, molybdates, tungstates[2] …   Wikipédia en Français

  • cyanotrichite — noun A rare, blue, orthorhombic copper aluminium sulfate mineral. Syn: lettsomite …   Wiktionary

  • cyanotrichite —    A cave mineral Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12●2H2O [11] …   Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology

  • cyanotrichite — cy·a·not·ri·chite …   English syllables

  • cyanotrichite — ˌsīəˈnä.trəˌkīt noun ( s) Etymology: German zyanotrichit, from zyan cyan + Greek trich , thrix hair + German it ite more at trichina : a mineral Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12.2H2O occurring as a hydrous basic copper aluminum sulfate in bright blue fibrous… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Cyanotrichit — aus der „Grand View Mine“ im Grand Canyon Nationalpark, Arizona, USA Chemische Formel Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2 H2O Mineralklasse Sulfate (Selenate …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • List of minerals C-E (complete) — It is currently not possible to have a complete list of minerals . The International Mineralogical Association is the international group that recognises new minerals and new mineral names, however minerals discovered before 1959 did not go… …   Wikipedia

  • Liste des mineraux (lettre C) — Liste des minéraux (lettre C) liste des minéraux A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Liste des minéraux (lettre C) — v · Liste des minéraux A • B • C • D • E • F  …   Wikipédia en Français

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