Libethenite

Libethenite
Image credit: RRUFF

Description

Raman spectrum of libethenite
Image credit: RRUFF

A rare copper phosphate hydroxide mineral (Cu2(PO4)(OH)). Libethenite was identified as a corrosion product on German bronzes that were in a burial environment adjacent to bones.

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Description = light to dark green slender crystals
• Fracture = irregular
• Luster = resinous, waxy
• Streak = light green
• Hardness = 4
• Density = 3.97 g/ml

Resources and Citations

• W.von Geilmann, K.Meisel "Rontgenographische Untersuchungens Methoden in der Vorgeshichtsforschung: Libethenite, ein Mineral der Patinabidung" Nachrichtenblatt fur Deutsche Vorzeit 18:208-212, 1942.

• M.Fabrizi,H.Ganiaris,S.Tarling, D.Scott, 'The Occurrence of Sampleite, a Complex Copper Phosphate, as a Corrosion Product on Copper Alloy Objects from Memphis, Egypt', Studies in Conservation, 34, 45-51, 1989. (Note: Sampleite is a different kind of copper phosphate)

• Wikipedia: Libethenite Accessed Dec 2022

• Mindat: Libethenite