Chalcanthite

Chalcanthite
Chalcanthite
General
Category Sulfate minerals
Chemical formula CuSO4·5H2O
Strunz classification 07.CB.20
Crystal symmetry Triclinic 1 pinacoidal
Unit cell a = 6.11 Å, b = 10.673 Å, c = 5.95 Å; α = 97.58°, β = 107.17°, γ = 77.55°; Z = 2
Identification
Color Berlin blue to sky-blue, greenish blue
Crystal habit Typically stalactitic, encrusted, reniform or massive. Natural crystals are rare, but are short prismatic or tabular
Crystal system Triclinic
Twinning Rare as cruciform twins
Cleavage Perfect on {110}; interrupted on {110}
Fracture Conchoidal
Mohs scale hardness 2.5
Luster Vitreous
Streak White
Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent
Specific gravity 2.12 - 2.3
Optical properties Biaxial (-)
Refractive index nα = 1.514 nβ = 1.537 nγ = 1.543
Birefringence δ = 0.029
Solubility Soluble in water, turning it blue
Other characteristics Hazard T.svg Poisonous
References [1][2][3]

Chalcanthite, whose name derives from the Greek, chalkos and anthos, meaning copper flower, is a richly-colored blue/green water-soluble sulfate mineral CuSO4·5H2O. It is commonly found in the late-stage oxidation zones of copper deposits. Due to its ready solubility, chalcanthite is more common in arid regions.

Chalcanthite is a pentahydrate and the most common member of a group of similar hydrated sulfates, the chalcanthite group. These other sulfates are identical in chemical composition to chalcanthite, with the exception of replacement of the copper ion by either manganese as jokokuite, iron as siderotil, or magnesium as pentahydrite.[4]

Contents

Uses of chalcanthite

Chalcanthite on limonite from Washington Camp, Santa Cruz County, Arizona (size: 5.5 x 2.9 x 1.5 cm)

As chalcanthite is a copper mineral, it can be used as an ore of copper. However, its ready solubility in water means that it tends to crystallize, dissolve, and recrystallize as crusts over any mine surface in more humid regions. Therefore, chalcanthite is only found in the most arid regions in sufficiently large quantities for use as an ore.

Secondarily, chalcanthite, due to its rich color and beautiful crystals, is a sought after collector's mineral. However, as with its viability as an ore, the solubility of the mineral causes significant problems. First, the mineral readily absorbs and releases its water content, which, over time, leads to a disintegration of the crystal structure, destroying even the finest specimens. It is critical to store specimens properly to limit exposure to humidity. Second, higher quality crystals can be easily grown synthetically, and, as such, there is a concern that disreputable mineral dealers would present a sample as natural when it is not.

Associated minerals

Given that chalcanthite is found in oxidized copper deposits, it is frequently found in association with other copper minerals. Frequently associated minerals include

Alternative names

Chalcanthite has several alternative names, including blue stone, blue vitriol, and copper vitriol.

Notes for identification

Chalcanthite's blue color is one of its most notable features, but it is insufficient in identification. Other useful tests include associated minerals, crystal habit, solubility and subsequent coloring of the water blue, and taste. A special note on tasting chalcanthite, however: chalcanthite has a sweetly metallic taste, but taste testing should not be done haphazardly. The specimen should be never touched with the tongue, as chalcanthite is poisonous. The liquid from chalcanthite will also stain skin blue for several days.

See also

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Chalcanthite — Chal*can thite, n. [L. chalcanthum a solution of blue vitriol, Gr. ?.] (Min.) Native blue vitriol. See {Blue vitriol}, under {Blue}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • chalcanthite — [kal kan′thīt΄] n. [< L chalcanthum < Gr kalkanthon, vitriol (< chalkos, copper + anthos, flower: see ANTHO ) + ITE1] a bluish, triclinic mineral, CuSO4·5H2O, that is an ore of copper: hydrous copper sulfate …   English World dictionary

  • chalcanthite — noun hydrated blue crystalline form of copper sulfate • Syn: ↑blue vitriol, ↑blue copperas, ↑blue stone • Hypernyms: ↑copper sulfate, ↑copper sulphate, ↑cupric sulfate, ↑cupric sulphate …   Useful english dictionary

  • Chalcanthite — Chalcantite Chalcantite Catégorie VII : sulfates, sélénates tellurates, chromates, molybdates, tungstates Chalcantite Canaveilles, Pyrénées Orientales …   Wikipédia en Français

  • chalcanthite — chalkantitas statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Mineralas. formulė Cu[SO₄]·5H₂O atitikmenys: angl. chalcanthite rus. халькантит …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • chalcanthite — /kal kan thuyt/, n. Mineral. See blue vitriol. [1855 60; < L chalcanth(um) ( < Gk chálkanthon blue vitriol, lit., flower of copper, equiv. to chalk(ós) copper + ánth(os) flower + on neut. suffix) + ITE1] * * * ▪ mineral       a widespread sulfate …   Universalium

  • chalcanthite — noun A mineral form of copper sulfate, CuSO Syn: bluestone …   Wiktionary

  • chalcanthite —    A cave mineral CuSO4●5H2O [11] …   Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology

  • chalcanthite — chal·can·thite …   English syllables

  • chalcanthite — /kælˈkænθaɪt/ (say kal kanthuyt) noun → blue vitriol. {obsolete chalcanth sulphate of copper + ite1} …  

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