Mineral - Chalcanthite
Chalcanthite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Sulphates
Toxicity
middle
Formula
CuSO₄ · 5H₂O
Unit Cell
a=6.11 b=10.67 c=5.95 α=97° β=107° γ=77° Z=2
Physical Properties
Hardness
2.5
Streak
white
Density
Normal (2-3,5)
Cleavage
Imperfect after {1 1 0}, indistinct after {111}
Fracture
conchoidal
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
blue
Birefringence
0.029
Luster
Vitreous,
Resinous
Transparency
translucent,
transparent
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
triclinic
Point Group
triclinic-pinacoidal - 1
Space Group
P 1 (2)
Habit
crusty, prismatic, tabular
Formation
Secondary, in the oxidation zone of copper deposits
Paragenesis
Twinning
Rarity
Common
Synonyms
Chalcanthite
Composition
Elements
Mass
SO₃
32.13
Fe₂O₃
0.76
CuO
31.40
H₂O
35.90
DR Congo (Palache et al. 1952)
Groups and Members
Chalcanthite-Group