Mottramite

Mottramite
Mottramite
General
Category Vanadate minerals
Chemical formula PbCu(VO4)(OH)
Strunz classification 08.BH.40
Crystal symmetry mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Unit cell a = 7.68Å, b = 9.27Å, c = 6.03Å
Identification
Color Grass-green, olive-green, yellow-green, siskin-green, blackish brown, nearly black
Crystal system Orthorhombic
Cleavage None observed
Fracture Irregular/uneven, sub-conchoidal
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 3 - 3½
Luster Greasy
Streak Yellowish green
Diaphaneity Transparent, opaque
Specific gravity 5.9
Optical properties Biaxial (-)
Refractive index nα = 2.170(2) nβ = 2.260(2) nγ = 2.320(2)
Birefringence δ = 0.150
Pleochroism Visible
2V angle Measured: 73° , Calculated: 46°
Dispersion strong r > v rarely r < v

Mottramite is an orthorhombic mineral, PbCu(VO4)(OH), at the copper end of the descloizite group. It was formerly called cuprodescloizite or psittacinite (this mineral characterized in 1868 by Frederick Augustus Genth).

References