Antlerite

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Antlerite
Antlerite-40298.jpg
A vein of acicular, green antlerite crystals from Chuquicamata, Chile (dimensions: 3.5 × 3.4 × 1.8 cm)
General
Category Sulfate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)		 Cu 3(S O 4)(OH)4
IMA symbol Atl [1]
Strunz classification 7.BB.15
Crystal system Orthorhombic
Crystal class Dipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group Pnma
Identification
ColorBright green, through darker greens to black
Crystal habit Tabular and acicular or fibrous. Also found as reniform, massive or granular specimens
Cleavage Perfect on [010]
Fracture Uneven
Mohs scale hardness3 to 3.5
Luster Vitreous
Streak Pale green
Diaphaneity Translucent
Specific gravity 3.9
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)
Refractive index nα = 1.726 nβ = 1.738 nγ = 1.789
Pleochroism x: yellowish green y: bluish green z: bluish green
References [2] [3]

Antlerite is a greenish hydrous copper sulfate mineral, with the formula Cu3(SO4)(OH)4. It occurs in tabular, acicular, or fibrous crystals with a vitreous luster. Originally believed to be a rare mineral, antlerite was found to be the primary ore of the oxidised zones in several copper mines across the world, including the Chuquicamata mine in Chile, and the Antler mine in Arizona, US from which it takes its name. It is chemically and optically similar in many respects to other copper minerals such as malachite and brochantite, though it can be distinguished from the former by a lack of effervescence in hydrochloric acid.

Antlerite is a common corrosion product on bronze sculptures located in urban areas, where atmospheric sulfur dioxide (a common pollutant) is present. Antlerite forms mainly in sheltered areas where weathering is low, which permits accumulation of copper ions and enhancement in the acidity of water films. [4] In exposed areas, the main corrosion product is brochantite.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyanotrichite</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linarite</span> Copper lead sulfate hydroxide mineral

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enargite</span> Sulfosalt mineral

Enargite is a copper arsenic sulfosalt mineral with formula Cu3AsS4. It takes its name from the Greek word enarge, "distinct". Enargite is a steel gray, blackish gray, to violet black mineral with metallic luster. It forms slender orthorhombic prisms as well as massive aggregates. It has a hardness of 3 and a specific gravity of 4.45.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Botallackite</span> Halide mineral

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calumetite</span>

Calumetite is a natural rarely occurring mineral. It was discovered in 1963 at the Centennial Mine near Calumet, Michigan, United States. Calumetite was first discovered along with anthonyite. It has a chemical formula of Cu(OH,Cl)
2•2(H
2O).

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Langite</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geerite</span> Copper sulfide mineral

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kröhnkite</span>

Kröhnkite ( Na2Cu(SO4)2•2H2O ) is a rare copper sulfate mineral named after B. Kröhnke who first researched it. Kröhnkite may be replaced by Saranchinaite, the anhydrous form of the mineral, if heated to temperatures above 200 °C (392 °F).

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornwallite</span> Copper arsenate mineral

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marshite</span> Isometric halide mineral

Marshite (CuI) is a naturally occurring isometric halide mineral with occasional silver (Ag) substitution for copper (Cu). Solid solution between the silver end-member miersite and the copper end-member marshite has been found in these minerals from deposits in Broken Hill, Australia. The mineral's name is derived from the person who first described it, an Australian mineral collector named Charles W. Marsh. Marsh drew attention to native copper iodide (Marshite) in the 1800s emphasizing its natural occurrence, it is not to be confused with copper (I) iodide a substance commonly synthesized in laboratory settings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serpierite</span>

Serpierite (Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6·3H2O) is a rare, sky-blue coloured hydrated sulfate mineral, often found as a post-mining product. It is a member of the devilline group, which has members aldridgeite (Cd,Ca)(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6·3H2O, campigliaite Cu4Mn2+(SO4)2(OH)6·4H2O, devilline CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6·3H2O, kobyashevite Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6·4H2O, lautenthalite PbCu4(SO4)2(OH)6·3H2O and an unnamed dimorph of devilline. It is the calcium analogue of aldridgeite and it is dimorphous with orthoserpierite CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6·3H2O.

References

  1. ↑ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi: 10.1180/mgm.2021.43 . S2CID   235729616.
  2. ↑ http://www.mindat.org/min-268.html Mindat
  3. ↑ http://webmineral.com/data/Antlerite.shtml Webmineral data
  4. ↑ Leygraf C, Graedel TE. Atmospheric corrosion. New York: Wiley-Interscience; 2000. ISBN   0471372196


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