Cyanotrichite

Cyanotrichite
Radiating sprays of cyanotrichite needles on matrix from the old Grand Canyon Mine now within Grand Canyon National Park (size: 3.8 x 3.7 x 1.2 cm)
General
Category	Sulfate minerals
Formula (repeating unit)	Cu₄Al₂[(OH)₁₂\|SO₄]·2H₂O
Strunz classification	07.DE.10
Unit cell	a = 10.16 Å, b = 12.61 Å, c = 2.9 Å; Z=1
Identification
Color	Sky-blue, azure-blue
Crystal habit	Acicular crystals and fibrous aggregates; incrustations
Crystal system	Orthorhombic
Fracture	Uneven
Mohs scale hardness	1-3
Luster	Silky
Streak	Light blue
Diaphaneity	Transparent to translucent
Specific gravity	2.76
Optical properties	Biaxial (+)
Refractive index	n_α = 1.588 n_β = 1.617 n_γ = 1.655
Birefringence	δ = 0.067
Pleochroism	X = colorless; Y = pale blue; Z = bright blue
2V angle	Measured: 82°
References	^[1]^[2]^[3]

Cyanotrichite is a hydrous copper aluminium sulfate mineral with formula Cu₄Al₂[(OH)₁₂|SO₄]·2H₂O, also known as lettsomite. Cyanotrichite forms velvety radial acicular crystal aggregates of extremely fine fibers. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and forms translucent bright blue acicular crystal clusters or drusey coatings. The Mohs hardness is 2 and the specific gravity ranges from 2.74 to 2.95. Refractive indices are nα=1.588 nβ=1.617 nγ=1.655.

Occurrence and discovery

It is an oxidation product of primary copper mineralization in a weathering environment with abundant aluminium and sulfate. Associated minerals include brochantite, spangolite, chalcophyllite, olivenite, tyrolite, parnauite, azurite and malachite.^[1]

The main deposits are Cap la Garrone in the Var (France), Romania and Arizona (USA).

It was first described in 1839 from Moldova Nouă, Banat, Romania. The name is from Greek kyaneos for "blue" and triches for "hair" referring to the typical color and habit. Its earlier name, Lettsomite, is taken from the name of William Garrow Lettsom (1804–1887), co-author of the 1858 Manual of the Mineralogy of Great Britain and Ireland.

References

Palache, C., H. Berman, and C. Frondel (1951) Dana’s System of Mineralogy, (7th edition), v. II, p. 578–579. PDF file
Mineral galleries

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