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Leightonite

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Leightonite
Leightonite
General
CategorySulfate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4•2H2O
Strunz classification07.CC.70
Crystal systemTriclinic - pseudo-orthorhombic
Identification
ColorPale blue, greenish-blue; pale blue in transmitted light.
Crystal habitLathlike crystals, flattened, elongated or equant
TwinningLamellar twinning on (100) and (010) produces pseudo-orthorhombic symmetry
CleavageNone observed
Mohs scale hardness3
LusterVitreous
DiaphaneityTransparent, translucent
Specific gravity2.95
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive indexnα = 1.578 nβ = 1.587 nγ = 1.595
Birefringenceδ = 0.017
References[1][2]

Leightonite is a rare sulfate mineral with formula of K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4•2H2O.[2]

Crystal class

Leightonite forms flattened to elongated bladed crystals of variously interpreted crystal structure. Its crystal system is reported as triclinic morphologically, but also as pseudo-orthorhombic due to intricate lamellar twinning that mimics orthorhombic symmetry. [1][2] Because it is triclinic, the crystal is represented by a system of three unequal vectors with corresponding unequal angles between them.

Optical class

Leightonite is anisotropic, meaning it has more than one refractive index, in this case three as it is biaxial. The mineral can split polarized light into two rays with different direction and velocity, resulting in the appearance of interference colors when recombined and viewed under polarized light.

Discovery and occurrence

It was first described in 1938 for an occurrence in the Chuquicamata Mine, Colama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile,[2] and named in honor of Tomas Leighton Donoso (1896–1967), Professor of Mineralogy at the University of Santiago, Chile.[1][3]

It occurs in alkali oxidized zones of copper deposits and is associated with natrochalcite, blodite, atacamite, bellingerite, kröhnkite, gypsum and quartz in the discovery location at Chuquicamata, Chile, along with chalcanthite, anhydrite and lammerite in Tsumeb, Namibia.[3] It has also been reported from the Schwaz area of North Tyrol, Austria, and the Visdalen Soapstone Quarry, Lom, Norway.[2]

At the mining site of Chuquicamata, Chile, Leightonite is not found in rich ore; rather it only appears in borderland material within 50 meters of the surface, acting as a cement between rock fragments as it fills in cracks and cross-fiber veins in surfaces as a network of crystals.[1] Although a hydrous sulfate of copper, it is not a major source of the element. Because of its rare nature, it is valued by mineral collectors.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Palache, C. (1938) Leightonite, a new sulphate of copper from Chile. American Mineralogist, 23, 34-37.
  2. ^ a b c d e Mindat.org
  3. ^ a b Handbook of Mineralogy