Tyrolite
| Tyrolite | |
|---|---|
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A sample of tyrolite from Slovakia | |
| General | |
| Category | Arsenate minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | CaCu5(AsO4)2CO3(OH)4·6H2O |
| Strunz classification | 08.DM.10 |
Chrysocolla on Tyrolite and Clinotyrolite, San Simon Mine, Santa Rosa-Huantajaya District, Iquique Province, Chile. 4.0 x 2.6 x 2.6 cm. Click image for details of the mineral chemistry.
Tyrolite is a hydrated calcium copper arsenate carbonate mineral with formula: CaCu5(AsO4)2CO3(OH)4·6H2O. Tyrolite forms glassy blue to green orthorhombic radial crystals and botryoidal masses. It has a Mohs hardness of 1.5 to 2 and a specific gravity of 3.1 to 3.2. It is translucent with refractive indices of nα=1.694 nβ=1.726 and nγ=1.730.
It is a secondary mineral formed by the weathering of associated copper and arsenic minerals. It was first described in 1845 for an occurrence in Schwaz, Tyrol, Austria.
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