Mineral - Cornetite
Cornetite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Phosphates
Toxicity
none
Formula
Cu₃(PO₄)(OH)₃
Unit Cell
a=10.85 b=14.05 c=7.09 Z=8
Physical Properties
Hardness
4.5
Streak
blue
Density
Heavy (3,5-6)
Cleavage
Fracture
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
blue
Birefringence
0.055
Luster
Vitreous
Transparency
translucent,
transparent
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
orthorhombic
Point Group
orthorhombic-dipyramidal - 2/m 2/m 2/m
Space Group
Pbca (61)
Habit
dipyramidal, crusty, spherical, kidney-shaped, radial, grape-shaped
Formation
Oxidation zone of copper deposits
Paragenesis
Twinning
Rarity
Rather rare
Synonyms
Cornetite
Composition
Elements
Mass
P₂O₅
19.81
CuO
70.78
H₂O
9.41
Zambia (Palache et al. 1952)