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Spertiniite

Formula:
Cu(OH)
 
2
System:OrthorhombicColour:Light blue, blue-green
Lustre:Vitreous
Name:Named after Francesco Spertini (b. 1937), chief geologist, Jeffrey mine, Richmond County, Québec, Canada, the discovery locality.
This page provides mineralogical data about Spertiniite.

Classification of Spertiniite

IMA status:Approved 1980
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/F.03-90
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.FD.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
D : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 8th edition ID:6.2.4.1

6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
2 : X(OH)2
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.3.4

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

Type Locality:Jeffrey Mine (Jeffrey Quarry), Asbestos, Shipton Township, Richmond Co., Québec, Canada
Year of Discovery:1981

Physical Properties of Spertiniite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Light blue, blue-green

Crystallography of Spertiniite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 2.95Å, b = 10.59Å, c = 5.27Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.279 : 1 : 0.498
Unit Cell Volume:V 164.64 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Spertiniite

Type:Biaxial
RI values: nα = 1.720
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 1.720

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

Chemical Properties of Spertiniite

Formula:
Cu(OH)
 
2
Essential elements:Cu, H, O
All elements listed in formula:Cu, H, O

Relationship of Spertiniite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
4.FD.10Bracewellite
CrO(OH)
4.FD.10Diaspore
AlO(OH)
4.FD.10Goethite
α-Fe
3+
 
O(OH)
4.FD.10Groutite
Mn
3+
 
O(OH)
4.FD.10Guyanaite
CrO(OH)
4.FD.10Montroseite
(V,Fe)O(OH)
4.FD.10Tsumgallite
GaO(OH)
4.FD.15Manganite
Mn
3+
 
O(OH)
4.FD.20Yttrotungstite-(Y)
YW
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)
 
3
4.FD.20Yttrotungstite-(Ce)
(Ce,Nd,Y)W
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)
 
3
4.FD.25Frankhawthorneite
Cu
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|TeO
 
4
]
4.FD.30Khinite
Cu
 
3
Pb[(OH)
 
6
|TeO
 
4
]
4.FD.30Parakhinite
Cu
 
3
Pb[(OH)
 
6
|TeO
 
4
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
7.3.1Cuprite
Cu
 
2
O
7.3.2Tenorite
CuO
7.3.3Paramelaconite
CuCu
 
2
O
 
3
7.3.5Crednerite
CuMnO
 
2
7.3.6Delafossite
CuFeO
 
2
7.3.7Cuprospinel
Cu
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4

Other Names for Spertiniite

Synonyms:
IMA1980-033
German names:
Spertiniit
Russian names:
Спертиниит
Spanish names:
Spertiniita

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 Spertiniite

Reference List:Canadian Mineralogist (1981): 19: 337-340.

American Mineralogist (1982): 67: 860.

American Mineralogist (1993): 78: 237-238.

Acta Crystallographica: C46: 2279-2284.

Internet Links for Spertiniite

Search Engines:
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  • Look for Spertiniite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Spertiniite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Spertiniite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Spertiniite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Spertiniite

    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.
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    (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.
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Richmond Co.
        • Shipton Township
          • Asbestos
    No reference listed
      • Rouville Co.
        • Mont Saint-Hilaire
    Horváth, L and Gault, R.A. (1990), The mineralogy of Mont Saint-Hilaire Quebec. Mineralogical Record: 21: 284-359.
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Wolfach
          • Oberwolfach
            • Rankach valley
    Kolitsch, U. & Götzinger, M. (2000): Einige Neufunde aus der Grube Clara im mittleren Schwarzwald: Eulytin, Namibit, Volborthit, Gearksutit, Spertiniit, Monazit-(La), Protasit, Sainfeldit, Cyanotrichit und Vauquelinit. Erzgräber 14, 33-47. (in German)
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz Mts
        • Goslar
          • Astfeld
    No reference listed
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Aachen
        • Stolberg
    International Association of Collectors of Slag Minerals, 9 (3), 3-6
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Lahn valley
        • Bad Ems District
          • Braubach
    Lapis, 16 (1), 38-53+58.
    • Saxony-Anhalt
      • Mansfeld Basin
        • Eisleben
    Collection of Elmar Lackner
    Namibia
     
    • Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region
      • Tsumeb
    Keller, P. & Innes, J. (1986): "Neue Minerale von Tsumeb." Lapis, 11 (9), 28-32.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Mule Mts
          • Warren District
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 376; Graeme, R. (1993), Bisbee revisited, Min.Rec.: 24: 421-436.
    • Michigan
      • Houghton Co.
        • Osceola
    Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
      • Ontonagon Co.
    Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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