Botallackite
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Botallackite | |
---|---|
Category | Category:Copper minerals, Category:Halide minerals |
Chemical formula | Cu2[(OH)3|Cl] |
Identification | |
Color | Shades of green |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Cleavage | One, distinct to good |
Refractive index | nα= 1.775, nβ= 1.800, nγ= 1.846 |
Birefringence | δ = 0.071 |
Dispersion | r > v, strong |
Pleochroism | Weak |
Density | 3.6 |
Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
Botallackite, chemical formula Cu2[(OH)3|Cl] is a secondary copper mineral, named for its type locality at the Botallack mine, St Just in Penwith, Cornwall. It is polymorphous with Atacamite, Paratacamite and Clinoatacamite.[1]
In the monoclinic crystal system, Botallackite is mountain-green to green in colour, with one distinct to good cleavage.[1]
Botallackite forms in copper deposits exposed to weathering and salt water.[1]