Mineral - Pseudomalachite
Pseudomalachite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Phosphates
Toxicity
none
Formula
Cu₅[(OH)₄|(PO₄)₂]
Unit Cell
a=17.08 b=5.77 c=4.50 β=91° Z=2
Physical Properties
Hardness
4.5 - 5
Streak
green
Density
Heavy (3,5-6)
Cleavage
Imperfect after {010}
Fracture
conchoidal,
splintery
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
green
Birefringence
0.076
Luster
Vitreous,
Greasy
Transparency
translucent,
transparent
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
monoclinic
Point Group
monoclinic-prismatic - 2/m
Space Group
P2 1 /c (14)
Habit
crusty, spherical, prismatic, tabular, grape-shaped
Formation
Secondarily in the oxidation zone of copper deposits, through the action of phosphate-bearing solutions (often derived from organic material or the weathering of apatite) on primary copper sulfides or carbonates.
Paragenesis
Twinning
Rarity
Rather rare
Synonyms
Pseudomalachite
Composition
Elements
Mass
P₂O₅
23.86
FeO
0.19
CuO
69.25
H₂O
6.76
Germany (Palache et al. 1952)