Libethenite
General
CategoryPhosphate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)		Cu2PO4OH
IMA symbolLib[1]
Strunz classification8.BB.30
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPnnm
Identification
ColorLight to dark green, blackish green, olive-green
Crystal habitGlobular, druzy, slender prismatic
CleavageIndistinct on [100] and [010]
FractureIrregular, uneven to conchoidal
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness4
LusterVitreous, greasy
Streaklight green
Specific gravity3.6 - 4, Average = 3.8
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive indexnα = 1.701 - 1.704 nβ = 1.743 - 1.747 nγ = 1.787 - 1.790
References[2][3]

Libethenite is a rare copper phosphate hydroxide mineral. It forms striking, dark green orthorhombic crystals. It was discovered in 1823 in Ľubietová, Slovakia and is named after the German name of that locality (Libethen).[2][3] Libethenite has also been found in the Miguel Vacas Mine, Conceição, Vila Viçosa, Évora District, Portugal, and in Tier des Carrières, Cahai, Vielsaim, Stavelot Massif, Luxembourg Province, Belgium.[3]

Appearance

Detail of gemmy, emerald-green, orthorhombic libethenite microcrystals on malachite, from the type locality, Ľubietová, Slovakia. See File:Libethenite-258236.jpg for the full specimen.

Libethenite almost always takes the form of dark-green orthorhombic crystals.[2][3] It is often found in clusters with other libethenite crystals.

Formation

Libethenite is found in the oxidized zone of copper ore deposits.[3] It is most often formed from the weathering of phosphate rocks such as apatite, monazite, and xenotime.[3] There have been no confirmed findings of primary libethenite, although a probable case has been reported.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. 1 2 3 http://webmineral.com/data/Libethenite.shtml Webmineral
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 http://www.mindat.org/min-2394.html Mindat
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