Mineralpedia Details for Caledonite

Named after the ancient Latin/Roman term for the Highlands of Scotland, Caledonia, which is where the first known locality lies at the Leadhills in Strathclyde (Lanarkshire). Caledonite is an uncommon mineral that occurs as a secondary mineral in oxidized copper-lead deposits. Additional localities for Caledonite include in England, Russia, Iran, the United States, Chile, Australia, and several others. Associated minerals include cerussite, anglesite, leadhillite, brochantite, linarite, azurite, and malachite. Caledonite is piezoelectric and generates a charge in response to pressure.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/caledonite.pdf

Formula

Cu₂Pb₅(SO₄)₃(CO₃)(OH)₆ 

Crystal System

Orthorhombic 

Crystal Habit

Prismatic, Radial, Striated 

Cleavage

Perfect, Distinct, None 

Luster

Vitreous - Greasy 

Color

blue, blue green, green, dark green 

Streak

greenish white 

Class

Orthorhombic - Pyramidal 

Fracture

Uneven 

Hardness

2.5-3 

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Aqua-blue, lustrous, well-formed crystals of Caledonite to 1mm associated with 0.5mm waxy looking Chlorargyrite crystals.

Lustrous blue, striated crystals to 1mm throughout matrix with perhaps darker blue Linarite or Diaboleite. Not too many minerals on the market from Iran.

A single, gorgeous 2mm striated Caledonited crystal in predominately Leadhillite matrix. The Leadhillite is mostly massive, but can be seen in the photos only as light-reflected plates. Also in association is yelow Oxyplumboromeite.

The specimen is all Caledonite with an aggregate of numerous prismatic Caledonite crystals to 6mm. A great piece for those of you who collect Tiger minerals.