Herbertsmithite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Herbertsmithite
Formula:
Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2
Colour:
light green, blue-green, emerald green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
3.85 - 3.95
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of George Frederick Herbert Smith (26 May 1872, Edgbaston, England, UK - 20 April 1953), crystallographer and curator, British Museum of Natural History, London (England), who discovered the similar mineral paratacamite. The mineral smithite is also named after him.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Isostructural with:
Atacamite Group.
A polymorph of (metastable) kapellasite.
Closely related to paratacamite and easily confused with twinned clinoatacamite.
On heating paratacamite reversibly transforms into herbertsmithite between 353K and 393K (Welch et al., 2014).
The Zn analogue of gillardite and leverettite.
This mineral gained attention in March 2007 when it was reported that it has very specific and unusual physical properties that make it behave as a new type of matter (see references).
A polymorph of (metastable) kapellasite.
Closely related to paratacamite and easily confused with twinned clinoatacamite.
On heating paratacamite reversibly transforms into herbertsmithite between 353K and 393K (Welch et al., 2014).
The Zn analogue of gillardite and leverettite.
This mineral gained attention in March 2007 when it was reported that it has very specific and unusual physical properties that make it behave as a new type of matter (see references).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
26600
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:26600:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
d11a616b-6f11-40e0-ad3c-11d93ad26333
IMA Classification of Herbertsmithite
Classification of Herbertsmithite
3.DA.10c
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
A : With Cu, etc., without Pb
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
A : With Cu, etc., without Pb
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Her | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Herbertsmithite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Herbertsmithite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
light green, blue-green, emerald green
Streak:
light green
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
on {10_11}
on {10_11}
Density:
3.85 - 3.95 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.76 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Herbertsmithite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.825 - 1.849 nε = 1.815 - 1.842
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.010
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
O > E; green to greenish blue
Comments:
Indices gradually increase with increasing Cu/Zn.
Anomalous birefringence in greenish-blue to dark blue.
Anomalous birefringence in greenish-blue to dark blue.
Chemistry of Herbertsmithite
Mindat Formula:
Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2
Crystallography of Herbertsmithite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.834 Å, c = 14.075 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.06
Unit Cell V:
569.28 Ă
Âł
Z:
3
Morphology:
Platy, pseudohexagonal crystals to 0.5 mm (Iran); rhombohedrons and pseudo-octahedra to 1.5 mm (Chile).
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014574 | Herbertsmithite | Braithwaite R S W, Mereiter K, Paar W H, Clark A M (2004) Herbertsmithite, Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2, a new species and the definition of paratacamite Mineralogical Magazine 68 527-539 |  | 2004 | Mina Los Tres Presidentes, Sierra Gorda, Chile | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.466 Ă | (55) |
| 4.702 Ă | (14) |
| 2.899 Ă | (11) |
| 2.764 Ă | (100) |
| 2.730 Ă | (13) |
| 2.266 Ă | (36) |
| 1.820 Ă | (13) |
| 1.709 Ă | (18) |
Comments:
XRD pattern quite similar to those for atacamite, clinoatacamite and paratacamite, but herbertsmithite is readily distinguished from these by infrared spectroscopy and SXRD
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
Geological Setting:
Copper mineralizations in syenitic porphyries and granites, hosted by triassic dolomites (Anarak, Iran)
Type Occurrence of Herbertsmithite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Rhombohedrons to 1.5 mm across.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom, number BM 2003.33.
Synonyms of Herbertsmithite
Other Language Names for Herbertsmithite
German:Anarakit
Italian:Herbertsmithite
Simplified Chinese:æ°ŻçŸééçł
Spanish:Herbertsmithita
Traditional Chinese:æ°ŻçŸ„é
é
çł
Relationship of Herbertsmithite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Botallackite | Cu2(OH)3Cl | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Clinoatacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl | Mon. 2/m |
| Gillardite | Cu3Ni(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Haydeeite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Hibbingite | Fe2+2(OH)3Cl | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Iyoite | MnCuCl(OH)3 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Kapellasite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Kempite | Mn2+2(OH)3Cl | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Leverettite | Cu3Co(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Misakiite | Cu3Mn(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Paratacamite | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Paratacamite-(Mg) | Cu3(Mg,Cu)(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Paratacamite-(Ni) | Cu3(Ni,Cu)(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Tondiite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Unnamed (Cu-Zn Chloride Hydroxide) | CuZnCl(OH)3 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 29 photos of Herbertsmithite associated with Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
| 21 photos of Herbertsmithite associated with Gordaite | NaZn4(SO4)(OH)6Cl · 6H2O |
| 11 photos of Herbertsmithite associated with Christelite | Cu2Zn3(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7 photos of Herbertsmithite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 7 photos of Herbertsmithite associated with Linarite | PbCu(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 7 photos of Herbertsmithite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 7 photos of Herbertsmithite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 7 photos of Herbertsmithite associated with Coronadite | Pb(Mn4+6Mn3+2)O16 |
| 7 photos of Herbertsmithite associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 5 photos of Herbertsmithite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.DA. | Centennialite | CaCu3Cl2(OH)6 · nH2O (n ~ 0.7) |
| 3.DA. | Muonionalustaite | Ni3(OH)4Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA. | Parahibbingite | Fe2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA. | Bounahasite | Cu+Cu2+2(OH)3Cl2 |
| 3.DA.05 | Melanothallite | Cu2Cl2O |
| 3.DA.10a | Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10b | Botallackite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10b | Clinoatacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10a | Hibbingite | Fe2+2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10a | Kempite | Mn2+2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Kuliginite | Fe3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Paratacamite | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10b | Belloite | Cu(OH)Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Kapellasite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Gillardite | Cu3Ni(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Haydeeite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Leverettite | Cu3Co(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Paratacamite-(Ni) | Cu3(Ni,Cu)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Tondiite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Misakiite | Cu3Mn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10b | Iyoite | MnCuCl(OH)3 |
| 3.DA.10b | Unnamed (Cu-Zn Chloride Hydroxide) | CuZnCl(OH)3 |
| 3.DA.15 | Claringbullite | Cu4ClF(OH)6 |
| 3.DA.15 | Barlowite | Cu4BrF(OH)6 |
| 3.DA.20 | Simonkolleite | Zn5Cl2(OH)8 · H2O |
| 3.DA.25 | Buttgenbachite | Cu19(NO3)2(OH)32Cl4 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.25 | Connellite | Cu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O |
| 3.DA.30 | Abhurite | Sn21Cl16(OH)14O6 |
| 3.DA.35 | Ponomarevite | K4Cu4Cl10O |
| 3.DA.40 | Anthonyite | Cu(OH,Cl)2 · 3H2O |
| 3.DA.40 | Calumetite | CaCu4(OH)8Cl2 · 3.5H2O |
| 3.DA.45 | Khaidarkanite | Cu4Al3(OH)14F3 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.50 | Bobkingite | Cu5Cl2(OH)8 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.55 | Avdoninite | K2Cu5(OH)4Cl8 · H2O |
| 3.DA.60 | Droninoite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA.70 | Chrysothallite | K6Cu6Tl3+Cl17(OH)4 · H2O |
| 3.DA.70 | Dioskouriite | CaCu4Cl6(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA.75 | Feodosiyite | Cu11Mg2Cl18(OH)8 · 16H2O |
| 3.DA.80 | Romanorlovite | K8Cu6Cl17(OH)3 |
Fluorescence of Herbertsmithite
none
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Herbertsmithite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-26600.html
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External Links:
References for Herbertsmithite
Reference List:
Braithwaite, R. S. W., Mereiter, K., Paar, W. H., Clark, A. M. (2004) Herbertsmithite, Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2, a new species, and the definition of paratacamite. Mineralogical Magazine, 68 (3) 527-539 doi:10.1180/0026461046830204
Localities for Herbertsmithite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Gablina et al. (2017) |
| Gablina et al. (2017) | |
Australia | |
| Matthew Joseph Sciberras (2013) |
| A few specimens have come from the mine labelled in the past as paratacamite. Testing in 2017 of two specimens from the same lot (Sue Koepke information) |
Chile | |
| ArfĂš et al. (2016) |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen SchlĂŒter (Hamburg University) |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen SchlĂŒter (Hamburg University) | |
| S. WeiĂ: Lapis (2004) |
| Uwe Kolitsch (single-crystal structure refinement) +1 other reference | |
| Braithwaite et al. (2004) | |
| Uwe Kolitsch (single-crystal structure refinement) +1 other reference | |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen SchlĂŒter (Hamburg University) | |
| SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy by Joy ... |
| gerhard mohn EDS and SEM |
| SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy by Joy ... |
| sample analysed by Tony Kampf | |
| maurizio dini collection - analysed ... |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen SchlĂŒter (Hamburg University) |
Egypt | |
| Gatto Rotondo et al. (2012) |
France | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ... |
Greece | |
| Krause et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Henk Smeets collection |
Iran | |
| Bariand +1 other reference |
| S. WeiĂ: Lapis 29 (12) | |
| Vachik Hairapetian collection |
Namibia | |
| Bezing et al. (2014) |
Poland | |
| Known only from one find |
Spain | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ... |
| Castro et al. (2019) |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
USA | |
| Analyzed by the University of Arizona. |
| Dr. Robert Housley |
| Dr. Robert Housley |
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San Francisco Mine, Caracoles, Caracoles mining district, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile