Shattuckite
| Shattuckite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General | |
| Category | Inosilicate |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Cu5(SiO3)4(OH)2 |
| IMA symbol | Sha[1] |
| 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 | [2][3][4] |
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.[5]
Gallery
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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
[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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Shattuckite: The blue mineral shattuckite information and pictures".
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