Paramelaconite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Paramelaconite
Formula:
Cu1+2Cu2+2O3
Colour:
Black, black with a slight purple tint
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Greasy, Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
5.9 - 6.04
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named by George Augustus Koenig in 1891 from the Greek παρά (para), near, and melaconite, because it is near "melaconite" (= tenorite) in composition.
This page provides mineralogical data about Paramelaconite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3098
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3098:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
435bcbc0-063b-48ca-8871-c596b766b36f
IMA Classification of Paramelaconite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Paramelaconite
4.AA.15
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
A : Metal: Oxygen = 2:1 and 1:1
A : Cation:Anion (M:O) = 2:1 (and 1.8:1)
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
A : Metal: Oxygen = 2:1 and 1:1
A : Cation:Anion (M:O) = 2:1 (and 1.8:1)
4.6.4.1
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
6 : Miscellaneous
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
6 : Miscellaneous
7.3.3
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
3 : Oxides of Cu
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
3 : Oxides of Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pml | 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 Paramelaconite
Sub-Adamantine, Greasy, Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black, black with a slight purple tint
Streak:
Brown-black
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
5.9 - 6.04 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.106 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Paramelaconite
Anisotropism:
Strong
Colour in reflected light:
White with pinkish brown tint.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Chemistry of Paramelaconite
Mindat Formula:
Cu1+2Cu2+2O3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Paramelaconite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
I41/amd
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.83 Å, c = 9.88 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.695
Unit Cell V:
335.81 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
massive, rarely as stout prismatic [001] and {010} striated [100] crystals.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000614 | Paramelaconite | O'Keeffe M, Bovin J O (1978) The crystal structure of paramelaconite, Cu4O3 American Mineralogist 63 180-185 |  | 1978 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.17 Å | (100) |
| 2.92 Å | (40) |
| 2.48 Å | (10) |
| 1.89 Å | (20) |
| 1.88 Å | (10) |
| 1.73 Å | (20) |
| 1.59 Å | (10) |
| 1.54 Å | (10) |
Comments:
ICDD 33-480
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Type Occurrence of Paramelaconite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized zone of copper sulfide deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Paramelaconite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Paramelaconite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 7 photos of Paramelaconite associated with Cuprite | Cu2O |
| 4 photos of Paramelaconite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 3 photos of Paramelaconite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 2 photos of Paramelaconite associated with Buttgenbachite | Cu19(NO3)2(OH)32Cl4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Paramelaconite associated with Gerhardtite | Cu2(NO3)(OH)3 |
| 1 photo of Paramelaconite associated with Claringbullite | Cu4ClF(OH)6 |
| 1 photo of Paramelaconite associated with Tenorite | CuO |
| 1 photo of Paramelaconite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 1 photo of Paramelaconite associated with Euchlorine | KNaCu3(SO4)3O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
Fluorescence of Paramelaconite
Not fluorescent
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 Paramelaconite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3098.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Paramelaconite
Localities for Paramelaconite
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.
Australia | |
| Alan Melbourne |
Austria | |
| Meixner+Paar (1979) |
Cyprus | |
| American Mineralogist (1975) |
DR Congo | |
| Louis Verschueren collection |
| Personal communication from Jasun ... |
| Joy Desor (Raman analysis) +1 other reference | |
Germany | |
| Färber (n.d.) |
Greece | |
| |
| |
Mexico | |
| Id by M. Origlieri 2012 |
Poland | |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD data |
UK | |
| Technical Report TR-02-09 (March 2002) |
USA | |
| Graeme (1993) |
| Dana 6: 1093. +6 other references |
| Dana 6:1093. | |
| 79:124-5 +2 other references |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
Quick NavTopAbout ParamelaconiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Tenke Mine, Tenke-Fungurume area, Lualaba, DR Congo