Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Messina Mine, Transvaal, Republic of South Africa
SIZE : 4.5 x 5.1 cm

The blue papagoite is included in a milky white biterminated quartz. The crystal measures 4.5 x 5.1 cm.

The sample comes from mineral deposit of Messina in the Republic of South Africa.

Acquired thanks to support from Total, it is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Papagoite

HISTORY : Name given after the name of the Papago Indian tribe who lives near the type locality

Species first described in 1960 by Hutton and Vlisidis

Type-locality: Mine New Cornellia, Pima Co., Arizona, USA

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Ca Cu Al Si2O6 (OH)3
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Monoclinic
COLOR : Blue
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : Pale blue
MORPHOLOGY : Crystals isometric sometimes flattened microcrystals forming aggregates, massive
HARDNESS : 5,0- 5,5
DENSITY : 3,25

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Papagoïte
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/E.06-50
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.CE.05

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Papagoite

Papagoite

MNHN N°193.24

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