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| Chemistry:
PbCu(SO4)(OH)2 [Lead
Copper Sulfate Hydroxide] | Discovered
in 1822;
IMA
status: Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered). Linarite
is named after the locality where it was first discovered;
Linares, Jaén, Andalusia, Spain. |
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Classification
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Mineral
Classification: |
Sulfates |
Strunz 8th
Ed. ID:
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6/B.10-10
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Nickel-Strunz 10th
Ed. ID:
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7.BC.65 |
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7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates,
wolframates) B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without
H2O C : With medium-sized and large cations
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Related
to: |
Linarite
- Chenite Group. Linarite - Mammothite Series.
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Crystal
Data
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Crystallography:
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Monoclinic
- Prismatic
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Crystal
Habit:
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Crystals
are elongated along [010], typically tabular on [101]
or [001], with about another 40 forms known, to 8 cm;
in crusts and aggregates.
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Twinning:
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On
[100], common; also on [001]
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Physical
Properties
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Cleavage: |
[100] Perfect, [001] Distinct
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Fracture: |
Conchoidal
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Tenacity:
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Brittle
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Hardness
(Mohs): |
2.5
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Density:
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5.3
- 5.5 (g/cm3)
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Luminescence:
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None |
Radioactivity:
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Not
Radioactive
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Other: |
Observed to alter to Antlerite and to Cerussite with
Malachite.
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Optical
Properties
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Color: |
Bright
to dark Azure Blue, Sky Blue
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Transparency: |
Transparent
to Translucent |
Luster: |
Vitreous
to Sub-Adamantine |
Refractive
Index: |
1.809
- 1.859
Biaxial ( - )
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Birefringence: |
0.050
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Dispersion: |
Strong;
r < v |
Pleochroism: |
Visible;
X
= pale blue; Y
= blue; Z
= Prussian blue |
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Occurances
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Geological
Setting: |
An
uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of Pb–Cu
deposits. |
Common
Associations: |
Anglesite,
Brochantite, Caledonite, Cerussite, Hemimorphite, Leadhillite,
Malachite |
Type
Locality: |
Linares, Jaén, Andalusia, Spain |
Year
Discovered: |
1822
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View
mineral photos: |
Linarite
Mineral Photos and Locations |
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More
Information
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Mindat.org Webmineral.com |
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Linarite
is a secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of lead-copper
deposits. It is a fairly rare mineral and an extremely
rare gem. The color of Linarite is a magnificent and
intense blue and can be confused with Azurite.
Crystals are usually very, very small; typically found
as crusts of tiny crystals on a host rock. Crystals
are rarely large enough for faceting but even then clean
areas of these crystals are usually very small. Gems
are very difficult to cut due to the softness and perfect
cleavage of the mineral. Linarite is also very collectable
as a mineral specimen.
Linarite
is available from many locations but fine crystals mainly
come from the Red Gill and other mines, Caldbeck Fells,
Cumbria, England; Tsumeb, Namibia; Mammoth-St. Anthony
mine, Tiger, Pinal County, Arizona, USA.
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Linarite
gems for sale:
We
have not photographed our Linarite gems. Please
check back soon.
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