Devilline

Devilline
Devilline
General
Category	Sulfate minerals
Formula (repeating unit)	CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6·3(H2O)
Strunz classification	07.DD.30
Crystal symmetry	monoclinic, 2/m
Unit cell	a=20.870 Å, b=6.135 Å, c=22.91 Å, β=102.73°, V=2,861.23 ų
Identification
Color	green, blueish green; green in transmitted light
Crystal habit	prismatic, lamellar, platy pseudohexagonal crystals
Crystal system	Monoclinic
Twinning	On {010}
Cleavage	perfect (001) distinct (110) and (101)
Tenacity	Brittle
Mohs scale hardness	2.5
Luster	vitreous, pearly
Streak	light green
Density	measured- 3.13 g/cm3 calculated- 3.084 g/cm3
Optical properties	biaxial negative
Refractive index	nα=1.585, nβ=1.649, nγ=1.660
Birefringence	δ=0.075
Pleochroism	visible
2V angle	42°
Solubility	Insoluble in water and concentrated H2SO4. Completely soluble in HNO3.
References	[1] [2]

Devilline is a sulfate mineral with the chemical formula CaCu₄(SO₄)₂(OH)₆•3H₂O. The name originates from the French chemist's name, Henri Etienne Sainte-Claire Deville (1818–1881).

Devilline crystallizes in the monoclinic system.^[3] Crystallographically, it contains three vectors of unequal lengths and two pairs of vectors are perpendicular while the other pair makes an angle other than 90°. Devilline is prismatic and belongs to the crystal class 2/m. This mineral belongs to the space group P 2₁/c. Devilline is an anisotropic mineral, meaning that the mineral has different properties in different directions. Optically, this mineral is biaxial negative, meaning that it contains two optic axes. Devilline has a moderate mineral relief. Mineral relief refers to the way a mineral appears to stand out when viewed under polarized light and it is dependent on the mineral's index of refraction.

Devilline is a rare and unusual secondary mineral found in the oxidized portions of copper sulfide ore deposits.^[4] Because Devilline occurs in such oxidation zones, this mineral often is of post-mining origin. Devilline is found in mines all around the world.

References