Rosasite

Infobox mineral
name = Rosasite
category =
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caption = Blue velvety mass lining a cavity
formula = (Cu,Zn)₂(CO₃) (OH)₂
molweight =
color = Blue, bluish green, green
habit = Radiating fibrous; botryoidal; mammillary; encrustations
system = Monoclinic-prismatic
twinning =
cleavage = Perfect in one direction
fracture = Splintery, fibrous
mohs = 4
luster = Silky, vitreous to dull
refractive = 1.672-1.83
opticalprop =
birefringence =
pleochroism =
streak = Light blue or green
gravity = 4-4.2
melt =
fusibility =
diagnostic =
solubility = Effervesces in cold, dilute hydrochloric acid
diaphaneity =
other =
var1 = Nickeloan rosasite | var1text = Dark green

Rosasite is a carbonate mineral with minor potential for use as a zinc and copper ore. Chemically, it is a copper zinc carbonate hydroxide with a copper to zinc ratio of 3:2, occurring in the secondary oxidation zone of copper-zinc deposits. It was originally discovered in 1908 in the Rosas mine in Sardinia, Italy, and is named after the location. Fibrous blue-green rosasite crystals are usually found in globular aggregates, often associated with red limonite and other colourful minerals. It is very similar to aurichalcite, but can be distinguished by its superior hardness.

References

* [http://www.mindat.org/min-3447.html MinDAT]
* [http://webmineral.com/data/Rosasite.shtml Webmineral]
* [http://www.galleries.com/minerals/carbonat/rosasite/rosasite.htm Mineral galleries]