Lindgrenite

Lindgrenite

Lindgrenite specimen from the San Samuel Mine of the Cachiyuyo de Llampos district, Copiapó Province, Atacama Region, Chile (field of view 4 mm)
General
Category Molybdate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2
Strunz classification 7.GB.05
Dana classification 48.3.1.1
Crystal system Monoclinic
Crystal class Prismatic (2/m)
H-M symbol: (2/m)
Space group Monoclinic
Space group: P21/n
Unit cell a = 5.394, b = 14.023
c = 5.608 [Å]; β = 98.5°; Z = 2
Identification
Color Green to yellowish green
Crystal habit Tabular to platey crystals, may be acicular, massive or crust forming
Cleavage Perfect on {010} and {101}, poor on {100}
Fracture Micaceous
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 4.5
Luster Greasey
Streak Pale green
Diaphaneity Transparent
Specific gravity 4.2
Optical properties Biaxial (-)
Refractive index nα = 1.930 nβ = 2.002 nγ = 2.020
Birefringence δ = 0.090
2V angle 71° (measured)
References [1][2][3]

Lindgrenite is an uncommon copper molybdate mineral with formula: Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2. It occurs as tabular to platey monoclinic green to yellow green crystals.

Discovery and occurrence

Lindgrenite in a quartz vug from the type locality of Chuquicamata (size: 1.7 x 1.7 x 1.4 cm)

It was first described in 1935 for an occurrence in the Chuquicamata Mine, Antofagasta, Chile, and named for Swedish–American economic geologist Waldemar Lindgren (1860–1939) of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[1][2]

Lindgrenite occurs in the oxidized portions of copper–molybdenum bearing sulfide ore deposits. Associated minerals include antlerite, molybdenite, powellite, brochantite, chrysocolla, iron oxides and quartz.[1]

References

Further reading

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