Mineralpedia Details for Brochantite
Brochantite
Named in honor of Professor Andre Jean Francois Marie Brochant de Villiers, a French geologist and mineralogist of the School of Mines in Paris, France. Brochantite is a relatively common mineral and can be found typically in oxidized copper deposits, however it is rarely in quantities to be used as an ore, and forms in arid regions of low acidity. Localities include in Russia, Romania, Italy, Germany, England, Namibia, Algeria, Australia, Chile, the United States, and many others.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/brochantite.pdf
- Formula
- Cu4SO4(OH)6
- Crystal System
- Monoclinic
- Crystal Habit
- Acicular, Prismatic, Druse
- Cleavage
- Perfect, None, None
- Luster
- Vitreous - Pearly
- Color
- green, emerald green, black
- Streak
- pale green
- Class
- Monoclinic - Prismatic
- Fracture
- Brittle - Conchoidal
- Hardness
- 3.5-4
- WebMineral
- View Brochantite
- Mindat
- View Brochantite
Brochantite from Grandview mine, Coconino Co., Arizona, United States
Emerald green fine, acicular crystals to 1mm.
Deep emerald green acicular crystals to 3mm.
Brochantite from La Farola mine, Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó, Chile
Green acicular spray to 1.1cm.
Brochantite from Los Azules mine, Quebrada San Miguel, Copiapó Prov., Atacama, Chile
Knock-out gorgeous emerald green, glassy, acicular crystals with chisel poit terminations.
Brochantite from Dos Adrianas mine, Zapallar dist., Copiapo Prov., Atacama, Chile
Sprays of thin green bladed Brochantite to 3mm with blue Lustrous Linarite on Quartz matrix.
Brochantite from Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Namibia
Beautiful emerald green bladed Brochantite crystals in divergent clusters to 5mm nested on a piece of white Calcite matrix with a slender vein of red-purple Cuprite at the base.
Brochantite from San Miguel area, Los Azules dist., Copiapo Prov., Atacama Region, Chile
Several 3-5mm radial sprays of deep green, sparkly Brochantite lining a drusy Quartz lined vug.
Brochantite from Sterling Hill mine, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey, United States
- Special Info
- XRD Confirmed
This comes with a label which states that the Brochantite was identified with XRD. To me, it looks more like devilline or even Aurichalcite. It is a minor amount whatever it is. It also has different sulfides , maybe Chalcocite, maybe some Bornite. It is not magnetic.
Brochantite from Bingham dist., Socorro Co., New Mexico, United States
For this locality, this is a pretty good specimen of fine, acicular Brochantite in 1mm sprays with good coverage on Baryte.
Brochantite from Old Dad mine, Springs Mtn., Idaho, United States
Exceptional equant emerald green crystals of Brochantite to 3mm in and around vugs with blue crystal balls of Quartz. Ex. Charles Noll collection.
Brochantite from Morenci mine, Greenlee Co., Arizona, United States
Free-standing green pointed needles of Brochantite on one side with flat lying emerald green needles on the other side. This is a superb, lovely specimen of Brochantite, especially for this mine. Personally collected by RJ Waidler.
