Mineralpedia Details for Conichalcite
Conichalcite
Named after the Greek words konis, meaning “powder,” and chalkos, meaning “copper,” in allusion to the copper in the composition and its occasional appearance as a powdery crust. Relatively uncommon but widespread, conichalcite can be found in many minor occurrences, however good specimens can be found in localities in Spain, England, the United States, Mexico, Chile, and Namibia. Conichalcite occurs as a secondary mineral in oxidized copper deposits as a product of the alteration of enargite.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/conichalcite.pdf
- Formula
- CaCuAsO4(OH)
- Crystal System
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal Habit
- Fibrous, Reniform, Massive
- Cleavage
- None, None, None
- Luster
- Vitreous - Greasy
- Color
- yellow green, emerald green
- Streak
- light green
- Class
- Orthorhombic - Disphenoidal
- Fracture
- Brittle - Uneven
- Hardness
- 4.5
- WebMineral
- View Conichalcite
- Mindat
- View Conichalcite
Conichalcite from Gold Hill mine, Tooele Co., Utah, United States
Lime green botryoidal crystals to 3mm across.
Bright translucent green stacked beads of Conichalcite forming tentacle-like growths with Quartz.
CONICHALCITE from Hilarion mine, Laurium dist., Attika, Greece
- Special Info
- Phillips Collection
Colorful rich green botryoidal COnichalcite with a little Azurite.
Conichalcite from Mina Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
1mm bright, translucent green individual crystals on limonitic matrix.
Conichalcite from San Rafael mine, Nye Co., Nevada, United States
Quite an interesting specimen of this mineral with hemispherical clusters to 2mm across composed of acicular crystals. All of the bright green is basically conichalcite.
