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Paramelaconite

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

Show Paramelaconite Photos (3)
Formula:
Cu
 
2
Cu
 
2
O
 
3
System:TetragonalColour:Black, black with a ...
Hardness:4½
Name:From the Greek παρά (para), near, and melaconite, because it is near melaconite 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

Physical Properties of Paramelaconite

Lustre:Adamantine, Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Black, black with a slight purple tint
Streak:Brown-black
Hardness (Mohs):4½
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):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:Stout prismatic [001]. {010} striated [100].

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

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.

Internet Links for Paramelaconite

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    Localities for Paramelaconite

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    (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.
    Cyprus
     
    • Nicosia 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
    		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)
    Mineral and/or Locality
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