Shattuckite
Shattuckite | |
---|---|
![]() | |
General | |
Category | Inosilicate |
Formula (repeating unit) | Cu5(SiO3)4(OH)2 |
Strunz classification | 9.DB.40 |
Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
Crystal class | Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Space group | Pcab |
Identification | |
Color | Dark and light blue, turquoise |
Crystal habit | Commonly spherulitic aggregates of acicular crystals |
Cleavage | perfect along [010] and [100] |
Fracture | uneven |
Mohs scale hardness | 3.5 |
Luster | Dull to silky |
Streak | Blue |
Diaphaneity | Translucent to opaque |
Specific gravity | 4.1 (rather heavy for a non-metallic mineral) |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
Refractive index | nα = 1.753, nβ = 1.782, nγ = 1.815 |
Pleochroism | X = very pale blue; Y = pale blue; Z = deep blue |
References | [1][2][3] |
Shattuckite is a copper silicate hydroxide mineral with formula Cu5(SiO3)4(OH)2. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic – dipyramidal crystal system and usually occurs in a granular massive form and also as fibrous acicular crystals. It is closely allied to plancheite in structure and appearance.
Shattuckite is a relatively rare copper silicate mineral. It was first discovered in 1915 in the copper mines of Bisbee, Arizona, specifically the Shattuck Mine (hence the name). It is a secondary mineral that forms from the alteration of other secondary minerals. At the Shattuck Mine, it forms pseudomorphs after malachite. A pseudomorph is an atom by atom replacement of a crystal structure by another crystal structure, but with little alteration of the outward shape of the original crystal. It is sometimes used as a gemstone.[4]
Gallery
-
Shattuckite with malachite, about 4 cm wide. Kaokoveld Mine, Namibia
-
Shattuckite crystals form concentric circular clusters of spraying, elongated, acicular crystals. Associated with them are small bits of contrasting primary malachite crystals in a deep green color
-
Botryoidal balls of shattuckite, from the Kaokoveld Mine, Kaokoveld Plateau, Kunene Region, Namibia
-
Polished shattuckite with malachite, New Cornelia mine, Ajo, Arizona. Size 5.3×5.1×5.0 cm
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ Shattuckite. Webmineral.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-10.
- ^ Shattuckite. Mindat.org (2011-09-08). Retrieved on 2011-10-10.
- ^ Shattuckite. Handbook of Mineralogy. (PDF) . Retrieved on 2011-10-10.
- ^ http://www.minerals.net/mineral/shattuckite.aspx