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Cyanotrichite
Current inventory:  0 mineral specimens
 

Chemistry:  Cu₄Al₂(SO₄)(OH)₁₂·2(H₂O)
[Hydrated Copper Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide]

Discovered in 1839;   IMA status: Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered).
Cyanotrichite is named from the Greek, kyaneos, "blue" and triches, "hair," hence, blue hair in allusion to its appearance.

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Sulfates

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

6/D.08-20

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

7.DE.10

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H₂O
E : With only medium-sized cations; unclassified

Related to:

Nickelalumite Group. Spangolite - Glaucocerinite Series. Visually similar to Khaidarkanite.

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Orthorhombic

Crystal Habit:

Crystals are acicular [001], to 3 cm; may be cottonball-like, commonly in radially fibrous and plushlike tufted aggregates forming incrustations.

Twinning:

None

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

[???] Good

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven

Tenacity:

Brittle

Hardness (Mohs):

2.0 - 2.5

Density:

2.74 - 2.95 (g/cm³)

Luminescence:

None

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Optical Properties

Color:

Sky-Blue to Azure-Blue

Transparency:

Transparent to Translucent

Luster:

Silky

Refractive Index:

1.588 - 1.655  Biaxial ( + )

Birefringence:

0.0670

Dispersion:

Relatively Strong

Pleochroism:

X = colorless; Y = pale blue; Z = bright blue

Occurances

Geological Setting:

An uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidized portions of copper sulfide deposits.

Common Associations:

Azurite, Brochantite, Chalcophyllite, Malachite, Olivenite, Parnauite, Spangolite, Tyrolite

Type Locality:

Moldova Noua, Caras-Severin County, Romania

Year Discovered:

1839

View mineral photos:

Cyanotrichite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org
Webmineral.com

Cyanotrichite is a rare secondary copper mineral found in the oxidation zones of copper-bearing ore bodies. It occurs as tiny acicular or hair-like crystals formed into radial clusters like miniature cotton balls. It has a wonderful sky blue to azure blue color and is often associated with bright green Brochantite crystals creating beautiful mineral specimens for collectors. Cyanotrichite gets its name from the Greek words for blue hair due to its hair-like crystals. This mineral is for specimen collectors and is not available as a gem.

Cyanotrichite is found at many localities worldwide including these notable occurances: Vieja Mine, Potrerillos, Chañaral Province, Atacama Region, Chile; Salsigne, Mas-Cabardès, Carcassonne, Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon, France; in the USA, exceptional specimens from the Grandview Mine, Grand Canyon National Park, Coconino County, Arizona; large sprays from the Mex-Tex mine, near Bingham, Hansonburg district, Socorro County, New Mexico; the American Eagle mine, Tintic district, Juab County, Utah; fine examples from the Peacock mine, near Leadore, Lemhi County, Idaho.
 

  
Cyanotrichite mineral specimens for sale:

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