Mineral - Linarite
Linarite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Sulphates
Toxicity
none
Formula
PbCu[(OH)₂|SO₄]
Unit Cell
a=9.70 b=5.65 c=4.69 β=103° Z=2
Physical Properties
Hardness
2.5
Streak
blue
Density
Heavy (3,5-6)
Cleavage
Perfect after {100}, imperfect after {001}
Fracture
conchoidal
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
blue
Birefringence
0.050
Luster
Vitreous,
Adamantine
Transparency
translucent,
transparent
Pleochroism
Blautöne
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
monoclinic
Point Group
monoclinic-prismatic - 2/m
Space Group
P2 1 /m (11)
Habit
crusty, prismatic, tabular
Formation
Secondary, in the oxidation zone of lead-copper deposits through the action of sulfate-containing solutions on primary sulfides (such as galena and chalcopyrite) under semi-arid to arid conditions.
Paragenesis
Twinning
Contact twins after {100}
Rarity
Rather rare
Synonyms
Linarite
Composition
Elements
Mass
SO₃
19.95
CuO
19.63
PbO
55.97
H₂O
4.45
Italy (Palache et al. 1952)
Groups and Members
Linarite-Chenite-Group