Cornwallite | |
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![]() Cornwallite in a vug from Pastrana, Murcia, Spain (size: 4.3 × 3.7 × 2.2 cm) | |
General | |
Category | Arsenate mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
IMA symbol | Cnw[1] |
Strunz classification | 8.BD.05 |
Dana classification | 41.4.2.2 |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
Space group | P21/c |
Unit cell | a = 17.33 Å, b = 5.82 Å, c = 4.60 Å; β = 92.22°; Z = 2 |
Identification | |
Color | Verdigis green, blackish-green, emerald-green |
Crystal habit | Microcrystalline radial fibrous, botryoidal to globular crusts |
Cleavage | Distinct in one direction |
Fracture | Conchoidal |
Tenacity | Brittle |
Mohs scale hardness | 4.5 |
Luster | Sub-vitreous, resinous, waxy |
Streak | Apple green |
Diaphaneity | Translucent to opaque |
Specific gravity | 4.17 |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+/−) |
Refractive index | nα = 1.810 – 1.820 nβ = 1.815 – 1.860 nγ = 1.850 – 1.880 |
Birefringence | δ = 0.040 – 0.060 |
2V angle | Measured: 30° to 50° |
References | [2][3][4][5] |
Cornwallite is an uncommon copper arsenate mineral with formula Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4. It forms a series with the phosphate pseudomalachite and is a dimorph of the triclinic cornubite. It is a green monoclinic mineral which forms as radial to fibrous encrustations.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Cornwallite-Baryte-54193.jpg/220px-Cornwallite-Baryte-54193.jpg)
Discovery and occurrence
[edit]It was first described in 1846, for an occurrence in Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines of the St Day District, Cornwall, England.[4] It occurs as secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper sulfide deposits. Associated minerals include olivenite, cornubite, arthurite, clinoclase, chalcophyllite, strashimirite, lavendulan, tyrolite, spangolite, austinite, conichalcite, brochantite, azurite and malachite.[3]
See also
[edit]- Kernowite, another mineral named after Cornwall
References
[edit]- ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- ^ Mineralienatlas
- ^ a b Cornwallite in the Handbook of Mineralogy
- ^ a b Cornwallite on Mindat.org
- ^ Cornwallite data on Webmineral