Anthonyite

Anthonyite is a hydrous secondary copper halide mineral with chemical formula of Cu(OH,Cl)2•3(H2O).

Anthonyite
Anthonyite from Mexico
General
CategoryHalide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu(OH,Cl)2•3(H2O)
Strunz classification3.DA.40
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Space group unknown
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Identification
ColorLavender
Crystal habitPrismatic crystals, commonly curved along [001]; as incrustations
Cleavage{100}, good
TenacitySectile
Mohs scale hardness2
DiaphaneityTranslucent
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive indexnα = 1.526 nβ = 1.602 nγ = 1.602
Birefringenceδ = 0.076
PleochroismX = rich lavender; Y = Z = deep smoky blue
2V angleMeasured: 3°
References[1][2][3]

It was discovered in 1963 in the Centennial mine, Calumet, Houghton County, Michigan, United States. It was discovered by the University of Arizona mineralogist John W. Anthony (1920–1992), who named it for himself.

Anthonyite is lavender in color, has a Mohs hardness of 2 and crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system.

Anthonyite occurs as an alteration of native copper in basalt in fractures and cavities by circulation of chloride rich groundwater or connate fluids. The similar orthorhombic mineral calumetite occurs by the same process. It occurs associated with tremolite, quartz, epidote, monazite, native copper, cuprite and paratacamite in the Centennial mine area. It also occurs in the Cole mine, at Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona; and Villa Hermosa, Sonora, Mexico. It occurs as a slag mineral in Richelsdorf, Hesse, Germany and Laurium, Greece.[1][2]

References


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