Cyanotrichite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Cyanotrichite
Formula:
Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O
Colour:
Sky-blue, azure-blue
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
1 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.76
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
From the Greek κυανός for "blue" and θρίξ for "hair" in allusion to its colour and habit.
Cyanotrichite Group.
A secondary copper mineral found sparsely in the oxidation zones of copper-bearing ore bodies.
Cyanotrichite is closely related to Carbonatecyanotrichite, from which it is impossible to distinguish without XRD measurements (tests for carbonate are not conclusive). Improved powder data are recently given by Hager et al. (2009) who suggest that there is no evidence for a solid solution series between cyanotrichite and carbonate-cyanotrichite; it is also evident that some carbonate-cyanotrichite specimens contain no sulfate.
The nomenclature situation is still complicated because the crystal structures of neither mineral is presently known (Nov. 2022 update: no longer a case since the Mills et al. 2015 paper on the structure of cyanotrichite).
See also Unnamed (Cyanotrichite-related mineral).
Visually similar to Khaidarkanite.
A secondary copper mineral found sparsely in the oxidation zones of copper-bearing ore bodies.
Cyanotrichite is closely related to Carbonatecyanotrichite, from which it is impossible to distinguish without XRD measurements (tests for carbonate are not conclusive). Improved powder data are recently given by Hager et al. (2009) who suggest that there is no evidence for a solid solution series between cyanotrichite and carbonate-cyanotrichite; it is also evident that some carbonate-cyanotrichite specimens contain no sulfate.
The nomenclature situation is still complicated because the crystal structures of neither mineral is presently known (Nov. 2022 update: no longer a case since the Mills et al. 2015 paper on the structure of cyanotrichite).
See also Unnamed (Cyanotrichite-related mineral).
Visually similar to Khaidarkanite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1203
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1203:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
8b9e1a0f-911c-4a5b-bd7b-4b12fde8bc54
IMA Classification of Cyanotrichite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12(H2O)2
Classification of Cyanotrichite
7.DE.10
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations; unclassified
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations; unclassified
31.2.1.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)6(XO4)Zq·xH2O
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)6(XO4)Zq·xH2O
25.2.20
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cya | 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 Cyanotrichite
Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Sky-blue, azure-blue
Streak:
Light blue
Hardness:
1 - 3 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.76 g/cm3 (Measured)
Comment:
A range from 2.737 (Morenci material) to 2.95 (Cap Garonne ?) exists in the literature.
Optical Data of Cyanotrichite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.588 nβ = 1.617 nγ = 1.655
2V:
Measured: 82° , Calculated: 86°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.067
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:
relatively strong
Optical Extinction:
X = ⊥ c (elongation); Z = c.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = nearly colourless; Y = light blue; Z = bright blue.
Chemistry of Cyanotrichite
Mindat Formula:
Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O
Crystallography of Cyanotrichite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.625(3) Å, b = 2.8950(6) Å, c = 10.153(2) Å
β = 92.17(3)°
β = 92.17(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 4.361 : 1 : 3.507
Unit Cell V:
370.82 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Occurs as velvet-, wool- or cotton-like aggregates and coatings comprised of minute acicular crystals; also radial-fibrous or tufted.
Comment:
Originally assumed to be orthorhombic, with the unit-cell parameters 10.16, 12.61, 2.90.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.2 Å | (100) |
| 5.47 Å | (50) |
| 5.26 Å | (80) |
| 3.88 Å | (90) |
| 3.38 Å | (35) |
| 3.04 Å | (40) |
| 2.392 Å | (35) |
Comments:
Grandview mine, Arizona, USA (ICDD-PDF no. 11–131)
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] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Cyanotrichite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Technische Universität, Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany, numbers 105613, 105616.
Synonyms of Cyanotrichite
Other Language Names for Cyanotrichite
Relationship of Cyanotrichite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Camérolaite | Cu6Al3(OH)18(H2O)2[Sb(OH)6](SO4) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Carbonatecyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(CO3,SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Khaidarkanite | Cu4Al3(OH)14F3 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 244 photos of Cyanotrichite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 177 photos of Cyanotrichite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 97 photos of Cyanotrichite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 84 photos of Cyanotrichite associated with Chalcoalumite | CuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O |
| 56 photos of Cyanotrichite associated with Parnauite | Cu9(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)10 · 7H2O |
| 54 photos of Cyanotrichite associated with Chalcophyllite | Cu18Al2(AsO4)4(SO4)3(OH)24 · 36H2O |
| 43 photos of Cyanotrichite associated with Spangolite | Cu6Al(SO4)(OH)12Cl · 3H2O |
| 32 photos of Cyanotrichite associated with Grandviewite | Cu3Al2(SO4)(OH)10 · H2O |
| 22 photos of Cyanotrichite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 22 photos of Cyanotrichite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DE. | Cossaite | (Mg0.5,◻)Al6(SO4)6(HSO4)F6 · 36H2O |
| 7.DE. | Magnesioalterite | Mg2Fe3+4(SO4)4(C2O4)2(OH)4 · 17H2O |
| 7.DE. | Liangjunite | K2(Mo2O5)(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 7.DE. | Fabritzite | Zn9(SO4)2(OH)12Cl2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DE. | Downsite | K2(MoO3)3(SO4) · 4H2O |
| 7.DE.05 | Mangazeite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 3H2O |
| 7.DE.10 | Carbonatecyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(CO3,SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 7.DE.10 | UKI-1975-(SO:AlCu) | (Cu, Al, SO4, H2O) |
| 7.DE.15 | Schwertmannite | Fe3+16(OH,SO4)12-13O16 · 10-12H2O |
| 7.DE.20 | Tlalocite | Cu10Zn6(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)(OH)25Cl · 27H2O |
| 7.DE.25 | Utahite | MgCu4Zn2Te6+3O14(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 7.DE.35 | Coquandite | Sb6+xO8+x(SO4)(OH)x(H2O)1- x (x = 0.3) |
| 7.DE.40 | Osakaite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 5H2O |
| 7.DE.42 | Alterite | Zn2Fe3+4(SO4)4(C2O4)2(OH)4 · 17H2O |
| 7.DE.45 | Wilcoxite | MgAl(SO4)2F · 17H2O |
| 7.DE.45 | Barrotite | Cu9Al(HSiO4)2[(SO4)(HAsO4)0.5](OH)12 · 8H2O |
| 7.DE.47 | Tiberiobardiite | {Cu9Al[SiO3(OH)]2(OH)12(H2O)6}(SO4)1.5 · 10H2O |
| 7.DE.50 | Stanleyite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 7.DE.50 | Bouškaite | (MoO2)2O(SO3OH)2(H2O)4 |
| 7.DE.57 | Khangalasite | Fe(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.DE.60 | Hydrobasaluminite | Al4(SO4)(OH)10 · 12-36H2O |
| 7.DE.62 | Volaschioite | Fe4(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 7.DE.65 | Zaherite | Al12(SO4)5(OH)26 · 20H2O |
| 7.DE.75 | Camérolaite | Cu6Al3(OH)18(H2O)2[Sb(OH)6](SO4) |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids.
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 Cyanotrichite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1203.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Cyanotrichite
Reference List:
Jameson, R. (1816) A System of Mineralogy. second edition, 3 volumes: 3: 153 (as Velvet Copper Ore).
Mills, S. J., Christy, A. G., Schnyder, C., Favreau, G., Price, J. R. (2014) The crystal structure of camerolaite and structural variation in the cyanotrichite family of merotypes. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (7) 1527-1552 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.7.02
Localities for Cyanotrichite
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.
Argentina | |
| Marquez-Zavalia et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Marquez-Zavalia et al. (2020) | |
| Marquez-Zavalia et al. (2020) | |
Australia | |
| Birch (1999) |
| Day et al. (1996) |
| Greg Dainty |
Austria | |
| G. Niedermayr (1998) |
| Mikl et al. (2014) |
| Auer (2023) |
| Meixner (1976) +2 other references |
| Auer (2005) |
| Collection of NHM |
| Seemann (1993) +1 other reference |
| Seemann et al. (1987) +1 other reference |
| Seemann (1993) | |
| Schnorrer et al. (2000) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2008) |
| Brandstätter et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
| Gerald Gesselbauer (06.2010) +1 other reference |
| J. Gröbner: Weitere Funde von Cyanotrichit in Österreich. MINERALIEN-WELT 16 (3/2005) |
| Taucher (1999) |
| J. Gröbner: Weitere Funde von Cyanotrichit in Österreich. MINERALIEN-WELT 16 (3/2005) |
| Kolitsch (2010) |
| Exel (1993) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2022) |
Canada | |
| Jambor (1960) |
| Sabina (1992) |
Chile | |
| M.Dini collection |
| |
| collected and analysed by french ... |
| A. Molina & M. Dini collections |
| maurizio dini - analysed by EDX & PDF (by dr. Jochen Scluter) |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schlüter (Hamburg University) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Jordi Fabre |
| Hercule Shen |
Czech Republic | |
| Sejkora et al. (2006) |
DR Congo | |
| Paul De Bondt collection |
| Mineralogical Record: 20: 287-288. |
France | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| P.-C. Guiollard (2002) +1 other reference |
| MOUREY Y. (2017) |
| OLLIC Pascal Collection | |
| Hartmut Hensel collection |
| P&T N°23-24 et al. (Haut-Rhin) |
| Wittern |
| Collection and Collected by (Font Philippe) |
| Cooper (1997) |
| www.zampano.com (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Berbain et al. (2005) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Favreau G. (1999) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Robin Fialip 2013 |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| BERBAIN et al. (2010) |
| Le Cahier des Micromonteurs |
| Jean-Marie Claude collection +2 other references |
| CLAUDE Jean-Marie : trouvaille (08/1980) | |
Germany | |
| 50. (in German) +4 other references |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| Blessing et al. (1991) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Schellhorn et al. (1989) |
| "Lithothek" collection of the ... | |
| |
| Gröbner et al. (2011) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1991) |
| Lapis (2) |
| Bender et al. (1994) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Thomas Lühr Collection |
| Gröbner et al. (2011) |
| Gröbner et al. (2011) |
| J. Gröbner und U. Kolitsch (2006) |
| EDX and RAMAN analysis by Joy Desor |
Greece | |
| Wendel (2000) +2 other references |
| LAPIS 24 (7/8) +1 other reference | |
| Hanke (1998) |
| Gröbner (2001) | |
| Ko Jansen |
| |
| Uwe Kolitsch (unpublished SEM-EDS analyses) | |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
Italy | |
| Ratto et al. (1967) +2 other references |
| Sylvano IOB Collection +1 other reference |
| Palenzona et al. (1991) |
| Orlandi et al. (1) |
| Gruppo Mineralogico Lombardo (10) +1 other reference |
| Guastoni et al. (2006) |
| Guastoni A. et al. (2006) +2 other references | |
| Luigi Chiappino data |
| Pelloux (1904) +1 other reference |
| Stara P. (1996) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Campostrini et al. (1999) |
| Mair (1996) |
| Conedera M. et al. (2016) |
| Ferretti et al. (2018) |
| Bortolozzi et al. (2013) |
| Bortolozzi et al. (2021) |
| Fabio Tosato +4 other references |
| Bazzoni et al. (2007) |
| Matteo Chinellato |
| www.comune.pisa.it (2000) | |
| |
| Muenchener Micromounter-Lithothek |
Japan | |
| Sadanaga et al. (1974) |
| Kikukawa et al. (1999) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Chukhrov (1945) +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Sumin (1941) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
New Zealand | |
| Essence of Microscope |
Norway | |
| Knut Eldjarn Collection |
Poland | |
| Siuda (2001) |
Portugal | |
| |
| Pedro Alves collection and analytical ... |
Romania (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| on public display of the ... | |
Russia | |
| CLAUDE jean marie Collection |
| Mikhailov et al. (2021) |
| Sumin (1941) +1 other reference |
| Yakhontova +4 other references |
Slovakia | |
| Čech et al. (1965) |
| Pauliš | |
South Africa | |
| Jacko Schonken collection photo ID ... |
| Atanasova et al. (2016) |
| Reeks (2007) |
| Cairncross (2004) |
| Steffen Michalski Collection - found ... |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference | |
Spain | |
| Pesudo Verde Collection +1 other reference |
| Valladares et al. (2021) |
| Valladares et al. (2021) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Georges Favreau collection +1 other reference |
| FMF Forum |
| Calvo Rebollar (2014) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2014) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2012) |
| Analyzed by XRD by Dr. Joan Vinals (Barcelona) +1 other reference |
| Mineralogistes de Catalunya (2/3) |
| Pedro Mingueza et al. (2022) |
| Joan Rosell (02/2016) |
| J. Rosell (02/2016) +1 other reference | |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Malcherek et al. (2024) +1 other reference |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Kolitsch (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Ansermet (2012) |
| EDXS analyses | |
| 86. (in German) +2 other references | |
UK | |
| Day (1999) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| |
| Collection Richard De Nul | |
| Camm et al. (1991) | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Hartley (1984) +1 other reference |
| Cooper et al. (1990) +1 other reference | |
| Barry Pitt personally collected from the waste dumps in 2022 Specimen A – Sky blue material. XRD no. NMW X-3884 = probable cyanotrichite (far from a perfect match) |
| |
| Day (1999) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Ukraine | |
| Geologiya SSSR. Poleznye iskopaemye (The geology of USSR. Commercial mineral) |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Richard Graeme |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Rogers (1922) +4 other references |
| Genth (1890) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Phil Partington +1 other reference |
| Raman analyzed at the University of ... |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| Housley R. |
| Dana 6:1089. |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Rosemeyer (2010) |
| James Bauer's Collection |
| Ream (2004) |
| Ream (1995) | |
| Ream (1995) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Jensen et al. (1995) |
| Mineralogical Record 26:467 |
| Dr. William S. Wise presentation to ... +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Pullman |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Franklin Mineral Species Committee |
| Franklin Mineral Species Committee |
| R&M 71:1 p66-68 +1 other reference |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| M Massis collection +1 other reference |
| Philip Simmons Collection | |
| Tiny Minerals | |
| Min News 21:8 p 8 | |
| [Mineralogical Record 30:337] | |
| Gibbs (1989) | |
| Min Rec 20:1 pp13-24 +1 other reference | |
| Page et al. (1956) +2 other references |
| Dana 6:1092 +1 other reference |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Collected by Andrew Turner. | |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| University of Utah XRD Report 01/25/16 |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... +1 other reference |
| Kampf et al. (2018) | |
| USGS TEI #514 |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
Quick NavTopAbout CyanotrichiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Hilarion Mine, Kamariza Mines, Agios Konstantinos, Lavrion Mining District, Lavreotiki, East Attica, Attica, Greece