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Faustite

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Big Photo

Warchenne quarry, Waimes (Weismes), Malmédy, Liège Province, Belgium
© JDehove

Show Faustite Photos (34)



Formula:
(Zn,Cu)Al
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Apple-green
Lustre:Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, DullHardness:5½
Member of:Turquoise Group
Name:Named by Richard C. Erd, M. D. Foster, and P. D. Procter, in honor of Dr. George Tobias Faust (August 27, 1908 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - February 27, 1985 Morristown, New Jersey, USA), mineralogist and petrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey.
Isostructural with:Turquoise


Turquoise Group. The zinc analogue of Turquoise.

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Classification of Faustite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/D.15-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.DD.15

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
Dana 8th edition ID:42.9.3.3

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)7(XO4)4Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.6.10

19 : Phosphates
6 : Phosphates of Zn
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Type Occurrence of Faustite

Type Locality:Copper King mine, Schroeder Mt, Maggie Creek District, Eureka Co., Nevada, USA
Year of Discovery:1953

Occurrences of Faustite

Geological Setting:Argillized shales

Physical Properties of Faustite

Lustre:Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent, Opaque
Colour:Apple-green
Streak:White to pale yellow-green
Hardness (Mohs):5½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Poor/Indistinct
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):2.92 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.99 g/cm3

Crystallography of Faustite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:P1
Space Group Setting:P1
Cell Parameters:a = 7.44Å, b = 9.89Å, c = 7.67Å
α = 107.75°, β = 115.65°, γ = 69.65°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.752 : 1 : 0.776
Unit Cell Volume:V 468.98 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:Fine grained massive, nuggets, veins.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
6.70 (70)
6.14 (70)
3.68 (100)
3.44 (60)
3.28 (60)
2.92 (60)
2.89 (80)
2.05 (70)
Comments:ICDD 6-216

Optical Data of Faustite

Type:Biaxial (+)
Dispersion:weak

Chemical Properties of Faustite

Formula:
(Zn,Cu)Al
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, H, O, P, Zn
All elements listed in formula:Al, Cu, H, O, P, Zn

Relationship of Faustite to other Species

Member of:Turquoise Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Aheylite
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)Al
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
Chalcosiderite
Cu(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
Planerite
Al
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(HPO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
 · 4 H
 
2
O
Turquoise
Cu(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.DD.05Chenevixite
Cu
 
2
Fe
3+
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
8.DD.05Luetheite
Cu
 
2
Al
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
8.DD.10Akrochordite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.10Guanacoite
Cu
 
2
Mg
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Aheylite
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)Al
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Chalcosiderite
Cu(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Planerite
Al
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(HPO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
 · 4 H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Turquoise
Cu(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Afmite
Al
 
3
(OH)
 
4
(H2O)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)(PO
 
3
OH) · H2O
8.DD.20Childrenite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Al(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
8.DD.20Eosphorite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)Al(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
8.DD.20Ernstite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)Al(PO
 
4
)(OH,O)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.6.1Tarbuttite
Zn
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
19.6.2Spencerite
Zn
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.6.3Hopeite
Zn
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.6.4Parahopeite
Zn
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.6.5Veszelyite
(Cu,Zn)
 
2
Zn(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.6.6Kipushite
(Cu,Zn)
 
5
Zn(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · H
 
2
O
19.6.7Scholzite
CaZn
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.6.8Parascholzite
CaZn
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.6.9Ehrleite
Ca
 
4
Be
 
3
Zn
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
 · 9H
 
2
O
19.6.11Aheylite
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)Al
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.6.12Jungite
Ca
 
2
Zn
 
4
Fe
3+
8
(PO
 
4
)
 
9
(OH)
 
9
 · 16H
 
2
O
19.6.13Schoonerite
ZnMn
2+
 
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
 
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 9H
 
2
O
19.6.14Phosphophyllite
Zn
 
2
Fe(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O

Other Names for Faustite

Other Languages:
German:Faustit
Russian:Фаустит
Simplified Chinese:锌绿松石
Spanish:Faustita
Varieties:
Cuprofaustite

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Not fluoescent
Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Faustite

Reference List:

- +
American Mineralogist: 38: 964-972.

U. Kolitsch and G. Giester (2000): The crystal structure of faustite and its copper analogue turquoise. Mineralogical Magazine: 64: 905-913.

Internet Links for Faustite

Search Engines:
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    • External Links:
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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Faustite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Faustite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • New South Wales
      • Yancowinna Co.
        • Broken Hill
    		Australian Min. 3:1 (1997)
    • South Australia
      • Eyre Peninsula
        • Middleback Range
          • Iron Knob
    		Minerals of Iron Monarch, Glyn L. Francis
    • Victoria
      • Mansfield
    Belgium
     
    • Liège Province
      • Malmédy
        • Waimes (Weismes)
    		http://perso.infonie.be/jose.dehove/photos/Waimes.htm (ID by Prof. Van Tassel)
    Bolivia
     
    • Oruro Department
      • Dalence Province
        • Huanuni
    		SEM analyses by Gene Foord, U.S. Geological Survey, done as part of an unpublished study of the turquoise group (analyses copies courtesy of Brian Kosnar)
    • Potosí Department
      • Potosí City
    		Alfredo Petrov collection
      • Rafael Bustillo Province (Bustillos Province)
        • Llallagua
    		Hyrsl, J. & A. Petrov (2006): Famous Mineral Localities: Llallagua, Bolivia. Mineralogical Record. 37: 117-162
    Bulgaria
     
    • Haskovo Oblast (Khaskovo Oblast)
      • Mineralni Bani Obshtina
        • Spachievo ore field (Spahievo ore field)
    		 Kunov, A. & Petrov, P. (2001): Beaverite from the Chala gold-base metal ore deposit: a new mineral for Bulgaria. Geokhimiya, Mineralogiya i Petrologiya 38, 67-71.
    • Kardzhali Oblast (Kurdzhali; Kărdžali; Kurdjali)
      • Momchilgrad Obshtina
    		Kunov, A. & Mandova, E. (1997): Supergene minerals of the Obichnik Au-Ag deposit (Eastern Rhodopes). Spisanie na Bulgarskoto Geologichesko Druzhestvo 58, 19-24. (in Bulgarian)
    • Plovdiv Oblast
    		[var: Cuprofaustite] No reference listed
    China
     
    • Hubei Province
      • Shiyan Prefecture
        • Yun Co.
    		Zhaoxin Han, Lijun Luan, and Chaoyou Wang (2004): Journal of Earth Sciences and Environment 26(2), 24-25
    • Hunan Province
      • Chenzhou Prefecture
        • Suxian District
    		Damao Wu and Yansong Tan (1981): Geology and Prospecting 17(9), 34-36
    Germany
     
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Sauerland
        • Meschede
          • Bestwig
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Westerwald
        • Linz am Rhein
          • Rheinbreitbach
    		Weiss: "Mineralienfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    • Saxony
      • Oberlausitz
        • Görlitz
          • Rengersdorf
    		T. Witzke & T. Giesler (1997): Neufunde aus Sachsen (VI): Churchit-(Y), Cyrilovit, Faustit, Kidwellit, Meurigit und Nickelhexahydrit aus der Lausitz.- Lapis 22, 9, 36-38
    Hungary
     
    • Heves Co.
      • Mátra Mts.
        • Parádfürdő
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Shizuoka Prefecture
          • Shimoda City
            • Rendaiji
    		Matsuyama et al. (1996) Chigaku Kenkyu (Geoscience Magazine), 44, 183-186.
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • Liskeard District
          • Linkinhorne
            • Minions
    		Golley & Williams (1995): Cornish Mineral Reference Manual, p. 27
    USA
     
    • Nevada
      • Elko Co.
        • Carlin District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Eureka Co.
        • Maggie Creek District
          • Schroeder Mt
    		Amer.Min.(1953) 38, 964-972
      • Humboldt Co.
        • Iron Point District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Lander Co.
        • Birch Creek District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
        • Carico Lake District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    Mineral and/or Locality
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