Libethenite
| Libethenite | |
|---|---|
|
Libethenite, Wheal Phoenix, Linkinhorne, Cornwall, England. Size: 5.0 x 4.9 x 2.8 cm. | |
| General | |
| Category | Phosphate minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Cu2PO4OH |
| Strunz classification | 8.BB.30 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Crystal class |
Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Space group | Pnnm |
| Identification | |
| Color | Light to dark green, blackish green, olive-green |
| Crystal habit | Globular, druzy, slender prismatic |
| Cleavage | Indistinct on [100] and [010] |
| Fracture | Irregular, uneven to conchoidal |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 4 |
| Luster | Vitreous, greasy |
| Streak | light green |
| Specific gravity | 3.6 - 4, Average = 3.8 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (-) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.701 - 1.704 nβ = 1.743 - 1.747 nγ = 1.787 - 1.790 |
| References | [1][2] |
Libethenite is a rare copper phosphate hydroxide mineral. It forms striking, dark green orthorhombic crystals. It was discovered in 1823 in Ľubietová, Slovakia and is named after the German name of that locality (Libethen).[1][2]
References
- 1 2 http://webmineral.com/data/Libethenite.shtml Webmineral
- 1 2 http://www.mindat.org/min-2394.html Mindat
Detail of gemmy, emerald-green, orthorhombic libethenite microcrystals on malachite, from the type locality, Ľubietová, Slovakia. See File:Libethenite-258236.jpg for the full specimen.
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