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Paramelaconite

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Big Photo

Copper Queen Mine (Halero Mine), Queen Hill, Bisbee, Warren District, Mule Mts, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
© Van King

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Formula:
Cu
 
2
Cu
 
2
O
 
3
System:TetragonalColour:Black, black with a ...
Hardness:4½
Name:Named by George Augustus Koenig in 1891 from the Greek παρά (para), near, and melaconite, because it is near melaconite (tenorite) in composition.
This page provides mineralogical data about Paramelaconite.

Classification of Paramelaconite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/A.05-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.AA.15

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
A : Metal: Oxygen = 2:1 and 1:1
A : Cation:Anion (M:O) = 2:1 (and 1.8:1)
Dana 8th edition ID:4.6.4.1

4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
6 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.3.3

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
3 : Oxides of Cu
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Type Occurrence of Paramelaconite

Type Locality:Copper Queen Mine (Halero Mine), Queen Hill, Bisbee, Warren District, Mule Mts, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
Year of Discovery:1891
Geological Setting of type material:Oxidized zone of copper sulfide deposit
Associated Minerals at type locality:
CupriteTenoriteMalachiteConnelliteGoethite

Physical Properties of Paramelaconite

Lustre:Sub-Adamantine, Greasy, Sub-Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Black, black with a slight purple tint
Streak:Brown-black
Hardness (Mohs):4½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):5.9 - 6.04 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.106 g/cm3

Crystallography of Paramelaconite

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Class (H-M):4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:I41/amd {I41/a 2/m 2/d}
Cell Parameters:a = 5.83Å, c = 9.88Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.695
Unit Cell Volume:V 335.81 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:massive, rarely as stout prismatic [001] and {010} striated [100] crystals.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
3.17 (100)
2.92 (40)
2.48 (10)
1.89 (20)
1.88 (10)
1.73 (20)
1.59 (10)
1.54 (10)
Comments:ICDD 33-480

Optical Data of Paramelaconite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Strong
Colour in reflected light:White with pinkish brown tint.
Pleochroism:Weak

Chemical Properties of Paramelaconite

Formula:
Cu
 
2
Cu
 
2
O
 
3
Essential elements:Cu, O
All elements listed in formula:Cu, O

Relationship of Paramelaconite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.AA.05Ice
H
 
2
O
4.AA.10Cuprite
Cu
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
7.3.1Cuprite
Cu
 
2
O
7.3.2Tenorite
CuO
7.3.4Spertiniite
Cu(OH)
 
2
7.3.5Crednerite
CuMnO
 
2
7.3.6Delafossite
CuFeO
 
2
7.3.7Cuprospinel
Cu
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4

Other Names for Paramelaconite

Other Languages:
German:Paramelaconit
Russian:Парамелаконит
Spanish:Paramelaconita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Not fluorescent
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 Paramelaconite

Reference List:

- +
Koenig (1891), Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia, Proceedings: 284.

Frondel, C. (1941), American Mineralogist: 26: 657-672.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 510-511.

American Mineralogist (1978): 63: 180-185.

Mindat.org articles about Paramelaconite

Article entries:
Paramelaconite and EuchroiteAlan Melbourne

Internet Links for Paramelaconite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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  • Paramelaconite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Paramelaconite

    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 District
          • Northern Section
            • Silverton
    		Alan Melbourne
    Cyprus
     
    • Nicosia District (Lefkoşa District; Lefkosia District)
      • Skouriotissa
    		American Mineralogist (1975): 60: 1013-1018.
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Agios Konstantinos [St Constantine] (Kamariza)
    		No reference listed
          • Plaka
            • Plaka Mines
    		No reference listed
    No reference listed
    UK
     
    • England
      • Devon
        • East Devon
          • Budleigh Salterton
    		Technical Report TR-02-09 (March 2002) Alteration of uraniferous and native copper concretions in the Permian mudrocks of south Devon, United Kingdom - A E Milodowski et al
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Mule Mts
          • Warren District
    		[MinRec 24:421]
              • Queen Hill
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 183; Koenig, G.A. (1891), On paramelaconite and the associated minerals, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila: 284-291; O'Keefe, M. & J.O. Bovin (1978), The crystal structure of paramelaconite, Cu4O3, Am.Min.: 63: 180-185; Frondel, C. (1941), Paramelaconite: A tetragonal oxide of copper, Am.Min.: 26: 567-672; Min. Rec.:12(5):309; Dana 6:1093; Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 27.
    Dana 6:1093.
    • Michigan
      • Ontonagon Co.
        • Mass City
    		Rocks & Min.:58:112.; 79:124-5
          • Mass Consolidated Mine
    		Mineralogy of Michigan (E. W. Heinrich & G. W. Robinson)
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