Mineral - Libethenite
Libethenite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Phosphates
Toxicity
none
Formula
Cu₂[OH|PO₄]
Unit Cell
a=8.06 b=8.38 c=5.88 Z=4
Physical Properties
Hardness
4
Streak
green
Density
Heavy (3,5-6)
Cleavage
Indistinct after {100} and {010}
Fracture
uneven
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
green
Birefringence
0.086
Luster
Vitreous,
Greasy
Transparency
translucent,
transparent
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
orthorhombic
Point Group
orthorhombic-dipyramidal - 2/m 2/m 2/m
Space Group
Pnnm (58)
Habit
dipyramidal, acicular, prismatic, pyramidal
Formation
Secondary, as a typical oxidation product of primary copper phosphates and sulfides (such as chalcopyrite) in the oxidation zone of copper deposits under the influence of phosphate-containing, near-surface solutions in a slightly acidic environment.
Paragenesis
Twinning
Rarity
Rarely
Synonyms
Libethenite
Composition
Elements
Mass
P₂O₅
29.31
CuO
66.42
H₂O
3.74
Chile (Palache et al. 1952)
Groups and Members
Olivenite-Group