Leightonite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Leightonite
Formula:
K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2O
Colour:
Pale blue, greenish-blue; pale blue in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.95
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Tomás Leighton Donoso (1896–1967), Professor of Mineralogy, University of Santiago, Chile.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2369
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2369:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
271efe45-0bf1-4043-8e93-ab0b8e8c7f35
IMA Classification of Leightonite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1938
Classification of Leightonite
7.CC.70
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
29.4.5.2
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : AmBn(XO4)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p < 3:2 and > 1:1
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : AmBn(XO4)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p < 3:2 and > 1:1
25.2.18
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lgh | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Leightonite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Pale blue, greenish-blue; pale blue in transmitted light.
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
2.95 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.95 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Leightonite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.574 - 1.578 nβ = 1.587 nγ = 1.595
2V:
Measured: 60° , Calculated: 86°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.021
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
very weak
Chemistry of Leightonite
Mindat Formula:
K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2O
Crystallography of Leightonite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.654(2) Å, b = 7.497(1) Å, c = 10.097(1) Å
β = 125.21(1)°
β = 125.21(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.554 : 1 : 1.347
Unit Cell V:
720.78 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Pseudo-orthorhombic. Blades or laths elongated [001] and flattened {100}; rarely equant. Curved surfaces cutting away more or less of the front edges of the prism produce an hour-glass appearance. Also occurs as cross-fiber veinlets.
Twinning:
Repeated lamellar twinning on (100) and (010) of a sub-rectangular triclinic structure results in mimetic orthorhombic symmetry.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0002814 | Leightonite | Menchetti S, Bindi L, Bonazzi P, Olmi F (2002) Disordered distribution of Cu in the crystal structure of leightonite, K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4.2H2O American Mineralogist 87 721-725 |  | 2002 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.90 Å | (100) |
| 3.18 Å | (60) |
| 1.781 Å | (30) |
| 2.22 Å | (20) |
| 2.51 Å | (10) |
| 2.40 Å | (10) |
| 1.461 Å | (10) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] |
Type Occurrence of Leightonite
General Appearance of Type Material:
cross-fiber veinlet fillings and crystals in open cavities.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1938,56.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 97540–97544.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, C5536.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 97540–97544.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, C5536.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Palache, C. (1938) Leightonite, a new sulphate of copper from Chile. American Mineralogist: 23: 34-37.
Other Language Names for Leightonite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Leightonite associated with Natrochalcite | NaCu2(SO4)2(OH) · 2H2O |
| 4 photos of Leightonite associated with Paratacamite | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3 photos of Leightonite associated with Bellingerite | Cu3(IO3)6 · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Leightonite associated with Marshite | CuI |
| 2 photos of Leightonite associated with Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 1 photo of Leightonite associated with Antlerite | Cu3(SO4)(OH)4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.CC. | Cobaltoblödite | Na2Co(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC. | Andychristyite | PbCu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
| 7.CC. | Ammoniovoltaite | (NH4)2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12(H2O)18 |
| 7.CC.05 | Krausite | KFe(SO4)2 · H2O |
| 7.CC.10 | Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.15 | Kalinite | KAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.CC.15 | Mendozite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Lonecreekite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Alum-(K) | KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Alum-(Na) | NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Tschermigite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Lanmuchangite | Tl+Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Voltaite | K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Zincovoltaite | K2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Pertlikite | K2(Fe2+,Mg)2Mg4Fe3+2Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite | (NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Magnesiovoltaite | K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.30 | Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.35 | Ferrinatrite | Na3Fe(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.CC.40 | Goldichite | KFe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.45 | Löweite | Na12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Blödite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Nickelblödite | Na2(Ni,Mg)(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Changoite | Na2Zn(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.55 | Leonite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.55 | Mereiterite | K2Fe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Boussingaultite | (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Cyanochroite | K2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Mohrite | (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Nickelboussingaultite | (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Picromerite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Nickelpicromerite | K2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Katerinopoulosite | (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.65 | Polyhalite | K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.75 | Amarillite | NaFe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.80 | Konyaite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 7.CC.85 | Wattevilleite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 · 4H2O (?) |
| 7.CC.85 | Xocolatlite | Ca2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2O |
| 7.CC.90 | Eckhardite | (Ca,Pb)Cu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Leightonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2369.html
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References for Leightonite
Reference List:
Palache, Charles (1938) Leightonite, a new sulphate of copper from Chile. American Mineralogist, 23 (1) 34-37
Peacock, M. A. (1938) The relation of leightonite to polyhalite. American Mineralogist, 23 (1) 38-45
Bandy, Mark C. (1938) Mineralogy of three sulphate deposits of northern Chile. American Mineralogist, 23 (11) 669-760
Palache, Charles (1938) Leightonite, a new sulphate of copper from Chile. American Mineralogist, 23 (1) 34-37
Localities for Leightonite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| |
Canada | |
| Shang (2000) |
Chile (TL) | |
| Palache (1938) +1 other reference |
| Lapis 1/2008 | |
| Maurizio Dini collection (analysed by Dr. Jochen Schlüter) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection and EDX ... |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2018) |
Italy | |
| Balassone et al. (2019) |
Namibia | |
| Gebhard (1999) |
Norway | |
| Garmo (1978) +1 other reference |
| Garmo (1978) +1 other reference |
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Salvadora Mine, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile