Chalcanthite
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Description
A rare, azure blue mineral composed of hydrous Copper sulfate. Chalcanthite is found as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of copper sulfide ore deposits in Chile and the U.S.(Nevada, Tennessee, Utah). It can be transparent to translucent.
Synonyms and Related Terms
copper sulfate pentahydrate; blue vitriol; blue stone; bluestone; copper vitriol; calcantita (Esp.)
Risks
Ingestion is toxic.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Triclinic, short prismatic crystals. Fracture = conchoidal. Luster = vitreous. Streak = white
Soluble in water.
| Composition | CuSO4 - 5H2O |
|---|---|
| Mohs Hardness | 2.5 |
| Density | 2.286 |
Resources and Citations
- Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Chalcanthite.shtml Chalcanthite
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 235
- Henry Hodges, Artifacts: An Introduction to Early Materials and Technology, Ronald P. Frye, Kingston, Canada, 1988
- C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalcanthite (Accessed Sept 2 2005; spec. grav=2.12-2.3 )
- Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
- Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997