Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Plancheite

Big Photo

Shangulowé Mine, Kambove, Central area, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
© 2002 Thames Valley Minerals

Show Plancheite Photos (49)
Formula:
Cu
 
8
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
] · H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Blue, greenish blue
Hardness:6
Name:For a Mr. Planché.


A rare secondary copper silicate.
May be confused with Shattuckite.

Classification of Plancheite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/F.05-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.DB.35

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
B : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; Pyroxene-related minerals
Dana 8th edition ID:66.2.1.1

66 : INOSILICATES Double-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=2)
2 : Amphiboles - Ca subgroup
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.2.3

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
2 : Silicates of Cu
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3233.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Plancheite

Type Locality:Sanda Mine, Mindouli, Pool Region, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
Year of Discovery:1908

Occurrences of Plancheite

Geological Setting:Secondary mineral in copper deposits

Physical Properties of Plancheite

Lustre:Silky
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Blue, greenish blue
Hardness (Mohs):6
Density (measured):3.65 - 3.8 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.85 g/cm3

Crystallography of Plancheite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:a = 19.043(3) Å, b = 20.129(5) Å, c = 5.269(1) Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.946 : 1 : 0.262
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,019.69 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Fibrous

Optical Data of Plancheite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.645 nβ = 1.660 nγ = 1.715
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.070

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:relatively strong
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X= pale blue
Y=Z= blue

Chemical Properties of Plancheite

Formula:
Cu
 
8
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
] · H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Cu, H, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Cu, H, O, Si

Relationship of Plancheite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.DB.05Balipholite
BaLiMg
 
2
Al
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
 
2
9.DB.05Carpholite
Mn
2+
 
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DB.05Ferrocarpholite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DB.05Magnesiocarpholite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DB.05Potassiccarpholite
(K,[])(Li,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
Al
 
4
[(OH)
 
4
 ׀ (F,OH)
 
4
 ׀ (Si
 
2
O
 
6
)
 
2
]
9.DB.05Vanadiocarpholite
Mn
2+
 
V
3+
 
Al[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DB.10Lorenzenite
Na
 
2
Ti
 
2
[O
 
3
|Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DB.15Lintisite
LiNa
 
3
Ti
 
2
[O|Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
9.DB.20Kukisvumite
Na
 
6
ZnTi
 
4
Si
 
8
O
 
28
·4H
 
2
O
9.DB.20Manganokukisvumite
Na
 
6
MnTi
 
4
Si
 
8
O
 
28
·4H
 
2
O
9.DB.25Vinogradovite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
4
Ti
 
4
AlSi
 
6
O
 
23
(OH)·2H
 
2
O
9.DB.25Paravinogradovite
Na
 
1-2
(Ti,Fe
3+
 
)
 
4
[(OH)
 
4
|AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
|(Si
 
2
O
 
6
)
 
2
] · H
 
2
O
9.DB.30Nchwaningite
Mn
2+
2
[(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
3
] · H
 
2
O
9.DB.40Shattuckite
Cu
 
5
[(OH)
 
2
|(SiO
 
3
)
 
4
]
9.DB.40UM2005-31-SiO:CuH
Cu
 
11
(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
18
·9H
 
2
O ?
9.DB.45Aerinite
Ca
 
5
(Fe
3+
 
,Al,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)(Al,Mg)
 
6
[HSi
 
12
O
 
36
(OH)
 
12
][(CO
 
3
)
 
1.2
(H
 
2
O)
 
12
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.2.1Dioptase
Cu
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)·6H
 
2
O
14.2.2Shattuckite
Cu
 
5
[(OH)
 
2
|(SiO
 
3
)
 
4
]
14.2.4Gilalite
Cu
 
5
Si
 
6
O
 
17
·7H
 
2
O
14.2.5Chrysocolla
(Cu,Al)
 
2
H
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
·nH
 
2
O
14.2.6Litidionite
CuNaKSi
 
4
O
 
10
14.2.7Reinhardbraunsite
Ca
 
5
[(OH,F)
 
2
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
14.2.8Cuprorivaite
CaCu[Si
 
4
O
 
10
]
14.2.9Kinoite
Ca
 
2
Cu
 
2
(H
 
2
O)
 
2
[Si
 
3
O
 
10
]
14.2.10Stringhamite
CaCu[SiO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
14.2.11Apachite
Cu
 
9
Si
 
10
O
 
29
·11H
 
2
O

Other Names for Plancheite

Synonyms:
KatangaiteKatangite
Other Languages:
German:Planchéit
Russian:Планшеит
Spanish:Planchéita

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 Plancheite

Reference List:Evans, H.T. & M.E. Mrose (1977), The crystal chemistry of the hydrous copper silicates, shattuckite and plancheite, American Mineralogist: 62: 491-502.

Internet Links for Plancheite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Plancheite on Google
  • Look for Plancheite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Plancheite on Webmineral
  • Look for Plancheite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Plancheite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Plancheite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Plancheite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Planchéite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Search for Plancheite at Thames Valley Minerals
  • Find Plancheite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Search for Plancheite on minvision.com
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Plancheite

    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.
    These maps work faster with Firefox!
    (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.
    Argentina
     
    • Córdoba
      • Dumesnil
    		Alfredo Petrov collection
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Central area
          • Kambove
    		Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992)
            • Kamoya
    Van King
    Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992)
    Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992)
          • Shinkolobwe
    		Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992)
          • Swambo
    		Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992)
        • Western area
          • Kolwezi
            • Kamoto
    		No reference listed
    No reference listed
    Rob Lavinsky specimen
    France
     
    • Rhône-Alpes
      • Rhône
    		[Le Cahier des Micromonteurs 1988, 4, p.6-46]
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Kirchheimbolanden
        • Imsbach
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    Italy
     
    • Sardinia
      • Carbonia-Iglesias Province
        • Fluminimaggiore
          • Oridda Valley
    		Pelloux A. (1930): Plancheite di Arenas (Sardegna). p. 154. Periodico di Mineralogia - Roma and Mariani P., Scaini G.: "I minerali d'Italia" - Rizzoli, 1978 and A. Del Caldo, C. Del Moro, C.M. Gramaccioli, M. Boscardin M. "Guida ai Minerali" Fabbri ed. Milano, 1981 and De Michele V. (1975) – Guida Mineralogica d’Italia – Ist. Geogr. De Agostini, Novara
    • Tuscany
      • Livorno Province
        • Elba Island
          • Capoliveri
            • Cape Calamita Mine (Calamita Mine)
    		L. Dell'Anna, C.L. Garavelli (1967) - Plancheite di Capo Calamita (Isola d'Elba) - Per. Min., 36: 126-146.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Tohoku Region
        • Akita Prefecture
    		Akira Kato (1973) Sakurai Koubutsu Hyohon, 63. (Sakurai collection)
    Mexico
     
    • Sonora
      • Mun. de Cananea
        • Cuitaca
    		Moore, T. and M. Origlieri (2008) Famous Mineral Localities: The Milpillas Mine, Cananea District, Sonora, Mexico. Mineralogical Record 39:6 pp 25-34
    Namibia
     
    • Khomas Region
      • Windhoek District
    		Am Min (1959) 44:682-685
    • Kunene Region
      • Damaraland District
        • Khorixas
          • Copper Valley
    		Gerhard Niedermayr: Mesopotamia 504 - die Typlokalität des Namibit
      • Kaokoveld Plateau
    		Niedermayr, G., Schnaitmann, E. A., Brandstätter, F. (2008): Das Dioptas-Shattuckit-Vorkommen Kandesei im Kakokoland [sic]. Mineralien-Welt 19, 76-93 (in German).
    Palfi, A. (2005): Spessartin- und Dioptas-Mineralisationen im Kaokoland, Namibia. Mineralien-Welt 16 (4), 49-61 (in German).
    • Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region
      • Tsumeb
    		No reference listed
    • Otjozondjupa Region
      • Grootfontein District
    		[MinRecord 28:124]
      • Otavi
    		[MinRecord 28:125]
    Norway
     
    • Sør-Trøndelag
      • Oppdal
    		No reference listed
    No reference listed
    Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
     
    • Brazzaville Region (Renéville Region)
    • Pool Region
      • Mindouli
    		American Mineralogist (1977), 62, pp. 491-502
    South Africa
     
    • Limpopo Province
      • Messina District
        • Messina mine
    		Minerals of South Africa
    • Northern Cape Province
      • Namaqualand
    		Minerals of South Africa
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cheshire
        • Alderley Edge
    		No reference listed
      • Cornwall
        • St Austell District
          • Luxulyan Area (Luxulian Area)
            • Hensbarrow Downs
              • Stenalees
    		[Golley & Williams, 1995, 48 - "Cornish Mineral Reference Manual"]
      • Cumbria
        • North and Western Region (Cumberland)
          • Caldbeck Fells
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Mule Mts
          • Warren District
    		No reference listed
      • La Paz Co.
        • New Water Mts
          • New Water District
            • Moore Mine group
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 330.
      • Maricopa Co.
        • Big Horn Mts
          • Big Horn District
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 330; Montoya, J. (1967), A new occurrence of planchéite in AZ, Rocks & Minerals: 277.
      • Pima Co.
        • Ajo District
          • Little Ajo Mts
            • Ajo
    		Thomas, W.J. & R.B. Gibbs (1983), Famous mineral localities: The New Cornelia mine, Ajo, AZ, Min.Rec.: 14: 283-298; Gilluly, J. (1937), AZ Bur. Mines Bull. 141: 68-75, 79-81.
      • Pinal Co.
        • Galiuro Mts
          • Table Mountain District
            • Table Mountain area
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 183, 330, 421; Bideaux, R.A., et al (1960), Some new occurrences of minerals of Arizona, AZ Geol. Soc. Digest: 3: 53-56; Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 111.
        • Mammoth District
          • Tiger
            • St. Anthony deposit
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 330; Bideaux, R.A. (1980), Tiger, AZ, Min.Rec.: 11: 155-181.
        • San Manuel District
          • San Manuel
            • San Manuel Mine (Apex Lead & Vanadium Mining Corp Mine; Quarelli group)
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 330; Thomas, L.A. (1966), Geology of the San Manuel ore body, in S.R. Titley and C.L. Hicks (editors), Geology of the porphyry copper deposits, southwestern North America, Univ. AZ Press, Tucson: 133-142.
        • Silver Reef Mts
          • Casa Grande
    		Collected by and in the collection of Brent Thorne
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 330.
        • Tortolita Mts
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 137, 183, 330; Bideaux, R.A., et al (1960), Some new occurrences of minerals of AZ, AZ Geol.Soc.Digest: 3: 53-56.
      • Yavapai Co.
        • Bradshaw Mts (Bradshaw Range)
          • Castle Creek District
            • Copperopolis
              • Whipsaw Gulch (Whipsaw Creek)
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 330.
    • Colorado
      • San Juan Co.
        • Elk Park
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    • Michigan
      • Ontonagon Co.
        • Mass City
    		Rocks & Min.:58:112.
          • Mass Consolidated Mine
    		Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
    • Nevada
      • Churchill Co.
        • Table Mountain District
          • Cottonwood Canyon
            • Bolivia
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Mexico
      • Luna Co.
        • Cooks Peak District
          • Old Hadley (Graphic) Mining District
    		Walstrom 2006 New Mexico Mineral Symposium abstracts
    • Utah
      • Beaver Co.
        • Beaver Lake Mts
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Zambia
     
    • Central Province
      • Mkushi
    		No reference listed
    • North-Western Province
      • Solwezi
    		personal visits and collecting in 1996 and 1997
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.