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Reichenbachite

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Point 5.0, Borstein, Reichenbach, Bensheim, Odenwald, Hesse, Germany
© 2006 D. Schläfli

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Formula:
Cu
 
5
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
System:MonoclinicColour:Dark green
Lustre:VitreousHardness:3½
Name:Named after its discovery locality.
This page provides mineralogical data about Reichenbachite.

Classification of Reichenbachite

IMA status:Approved 1985
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/B.11-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.BD.05

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
Dana 8th edition ID:41.4.3.2

41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.2.3

19 : Phosphates
2 : Phosphates of Cu
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Type Occurrence of Reichenbachite

Type Locality:Point 8.0, Borstein, Reichenbach, Bensheim, Odenwald, Hesse, Germany
Year of Discovery:1987

Physical Properties of Reichenbachite

Lustre:Vitreous
Colour:Dark green
Hardness (Mohs):3½

Crystallography of Reichenbachite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 9.186(2) Å, b = 10.684(2) Å, c = 4.461(2) Å
β = 92.31(1)°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.86 : 1 : 0.418
Unit Cell Volume:V 437.46 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Lancet-shaped crystals.
Comment:SG P21/a

Optical Data of Reichenbachite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.782 nβ = 1.833 nγ = 1.867
2V:Measured: 76° , Calculated: 76°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.085

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:extreme

Chemical Properties of Reichenbachite

Formula:
Cu
 
5
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
Essential elements:Cu, H, O, P
All elements listed in formula:Cu, H, O, P

Relationship of Reichenbachite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.BD.05Cornwallite
Cu
 
5
[(OH)
 
2
|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BD.05Pseudomalachite
Cu
 
5
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BD.10Arsenoclasite
Mn
2+
5
[(OH)
 
2
|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BD.10Gatehouseite
Mn
2+
5
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BD.15Parwelite
Mn
 
10
Sb
 
2
As
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
24
8.BD.20Reppiaite
Mn
2+
5
[(OH)
 
2
|VO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BD.25Ludjibaite
Cu
 
5
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BD.30Cornubite
Cu
 
5
[(OH)
 
2
|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.2.1Libethenite
Cu
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
19.2.2Cornetite
Cu
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|PO
 
4
]
19.2.4Ludjibaite
Cu
 
5
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.2.5Pseudomalachite
Cu
 
5
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.2.6Nissonite
Cu
 
2
Mg
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
19.2.7Zapatalite
Cu
 
3
Al
 
4
[(OH)
 
3
|PO
 
4
]
 
3
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.2.8Turquoise
Cu(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
6
[(OH)
 
4
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.2.9Sieleckiite
Cu
 
3
Al
 
4
[(OH)
 
6
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.2.10Planerite
Al
 
6
[(OH)
 
4
|HPO
 
4
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4 H
 
2
O
19.2.11Hentschelite
CuFe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.2.13Chalcosiderite
Cu(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
6
[(OH)
 
4
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.2.14Phosphofibrite
[K
 
<0.5
(H
 
2
O)
 
3
][(Fe
3+
 
,Cu)
 
8
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
7
(H
 
2
O)
 
4
]

Other Names for Reichenbachite

Synonyms:
IMA1985-044
Other Languages:
German:Reichenbachit
Spanish:Reichenbachita

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 Reichenbachite

Reference List:American Mineralogist (1977): 62: 115-121.

Sieber, N.H.W., Tillmanns, E. and Medenbach, O. (1987) Hentschelite, CuFe2(PO4)2(OH)2, a new member of the lazulite group, and reichenbachite, Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4, a polymorph of pseudomalachite, two new copper phosphate minerals from Reichenbach, Germany. American Mineralogist 72, 404-408.

Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte (1991): 281.

Braithwaite, R. S. W. and Ryback, G. (1994): Reichenbachite from Cornwall and Portugal. Mineral. Mag., 58, 449-454.

Internet Links for Reichenbachite

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    Localities for Reichenbachite

    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.
    Australia
     
    • Northern Territory
      • Batchelor
        • Rum Jungle
    		Museum Victoria collection
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Kipushi
    		No reference listed
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Gengenbach
          • Haigerach valley
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    • Hesse
      • Odenwald
        • Bensheim
          • Gadernheim
    		Am Min 79:764-765.
          • Reichenbach
            • Borstein
    		P Haas collection (specimen no. 72-170)
    Sieber, N.H.W., Tillmanns, E. and Medenbach, O. (1987) Hentschelite, CuFe2(PO4)2(OH)2, a new member of the lazulite group, and reichenbachite, Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4, a polymorph of pseudomalachite, two new copper phosphate minerals from Reichenbach, Germany. American Mineralogist 72, 404-408.
            • Hohenstein
    		Lapis 25(2), 13-30 (2000)
    No reference listed
      • Taunus Mts
        • Emmershausen
    		www.haldengraeber.de/Homepage/Fundstellen/Deutschland/Taunus/Silbergaut/Silbergaut.html
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Siegerland
        • Gebhardshain
          • Kausen
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundstellen in Deutschland", 2001
    • Saxony
      • Vogtland
        • Falkenstein
          • Bergen
    		T. Witzke (1994) Lapis 19(10), 36-39
    Portugal
     
    • Évora District
      • Évora
      • Vila Viçosa
        • Pardais
    		Braithwaite, R. S. W. and Ryback, G. (1994): Reichenbachite from Cornwall and Portugal. Mineral. Mag., 58, 449-454.
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Western Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
        • Ľubietová (Libetbánya; Libethen) ore belt
    		No reference listed
    South Africa
     
    • Northern Cape Province
      • Namaqualand
        • Okiep Copper District
          • Springbok
    		Leon Hupperichs collection
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • Callington District
          • Gunnislake Area
    		Braithwaite, R. S. W. and Ryback, G. (1994): Reichenbachite from Cornwall and Portugal. Mineral. Mag., 58, 449-454; [R.Tayler pers. comm.]
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Yavapai Co.
        • Bradshaw Mts (Bradshaw Range)
          • Agua Fria District
            • Mayer
    		Grant, Raymond W., Bideaux, R.A., and Williams, S.A. (2006) Minerals Added to the Arizona List 1995-2005: 7.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    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. Current server date and time: 1st Nov 2009 22:53:54