Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : El Teniente, Rancagua, Chile
SIZE : 7.5 x 7.5 x 5 cm

This sample is composed of chalcophyllite on a matrix. Crystals are lamellar whith hexagonal outline, of a blueish-green and are very lustre. The sample measures 7.5 x 7.5 x 5 cm.

This specimen comes from El Teniente, in Chile. It is kept in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: A. Dahmane / Photo Saint-Hilaire,
© MNHN.

SPECIE : Chalcophyllite

HISTORY : Name derived from Greek terms "χαλκοσ" [khalkos] meaning copper and "φυλλοσ" [phyllos] meaning "leaf", in reference to its cleavage

Species described in 1841 by J.F.A. Breithaupt (1791-1873), Saxon mineralogist

Type-locality: unknown
ANCIENT NAME : Erinite

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Cu18 Al2 (AsO4)4 (SO4)3 (OH)24 36H2O
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Hexagonal
COLOR : Emerald green to blueish green, blue
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous to subadamantine
STREAK : Light green to blue green
MORPHOLOGY : Tabular crystals, flattened, hexagonal
HARDNESS : 2
DENSITY : 2,684

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Arseniates
GROUP : Chalcophyllite-parnauite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 7/D.20-50
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 8.DF.15

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Chalcophyllite

Chalcophyllite

MNHN N°200.138

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