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

• Palache, C., H. Berman, and C. Frondel (1951) Dana’s System of Mineralogy, (7th edition), v. II, p.578–579. PDF file
• Mindat
• Webmineral data
• Mineral galleries