Mineralpedia Details for Orthoserpierite
Orthoserpierite
Named as an orthorhombic (ortho) mineral and its relationship to serpierite. Orthoserpierite is an uncommon mineral found as a secondary mineral on hydrothermal copper mine dumps, as well as a precipitate from waters running through oxidized hydrothermal copper deposits. It can be found in localities in France, Ireland, Germany, and the USA among only a few others. Orthoserpierite will fluoresce a lilac-lavender color under long-wave and short-wave ultraviolet light.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/orthoserpierite.pdf
- Formula
- CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6ยท3H2O
- Crystal System
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal Habit
- Crystalline - Fine, Platy
- Cleavage
- Perfect, None, None
- Luster
- Vitreous (Glassy)
- Color
- pale blue green
- Streak
- light green
- Class
- Orthorhombic - Pyramidal
- Fracture
- Splintery
- Hardness
- -
- WebMineral
- View Orthoserpierite
- Mindat
- View Orthoserpierite
Orthoserpierite from Mina Platosa, Bermejillo, Durango, Mexico
Bright sky blue to deep blue, lath-like or long bladed Orthoserpierite crystals to 3mm in random orientations in a 7mm area with other smaller pockets. A short mention of this locality can be found in the Mineral News, Aug. 2006.
