Szenicsite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Szenicsite
Terry Szenics
Formula:
Cu3(MoO4)(OH)4
Colour:
Dark green
Lustre:
Adamantine, Pearly
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.26
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Zoltan "Terry" (b. 1947) and Marissa (b. 1950) Szenics, American mineral collectors who discovered the mineral.
Dimorph of:
The szenicsite occurrence was an isolated area, approximately 1 cubic meter in size, wherein the szenicsite occurred in cavities in a matrix rich in molybdenite and Cu-bearing powellite. The cavities were filled with a clay-like material. Outside of the szenicsite zone, the mineralization changed from szenicsite to lindgrenite, with decreasing copper. Thereafter, moving further out, the mineralization was lacking visible copper content and consisted of powellite blebs in the ore. (pers. comm. Terry Szenics to Chet Lemanski, 2006).
Note: the type locality was originally erroneously given as "Tierra Amarilla".
Note: the type locality was originally erroneously given as "Tierra Amarilla".
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3862
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3862:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
6361b5bf-87cb-43d7-b525-bd54dd959902
IMA Classification of Szenicsite
Approved
Approval year:
1993
First published:
1994
Classification of Szenicsite
7.GB.10
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
G : Molybdates, Wolframates and Niobates
B : With additional anions and/or H2O
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
G : Molybdates, Wolframates and Niobates
B : With additional anions and/or H2O
48.3.5.1
48 : ANHYDROUS MOLYBDATES AND TUNGSTATES
3 : Basic Anhydrous Molybdates and Tungstates
48 : ANHYDROUS MOLYBDATES AND TUNGSTATES
3 : Basic Anhydrous Molybdates and Tungstates
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Sze | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Szenicsite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Szenicsite
Adamantine, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Dark green
Streak:
Malachite green
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{100} and {010}, good.
{100} and {010}, good.
Density:
4.26(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 4.279 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Calculated value based on the empirical formula, the ideal formula gives 4.30.
Optical Data of Szenicsite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.886 nβ = 1.892 nγ = 1.903
2V:
Measured: 74° (3), Calculated: 74°
Birefringence:
Low to moderate.
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.017
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Y = a; Z = c.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = yellow-green; Y = Z = green.
Chemistry of Szenicsite
Mindat Formula:
Cu3(MoO4)(OH)4
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Szenicsite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnnm
Setting:
Pnnm
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.5201(8) Å, b = 12.545(1) Å, c = 6.0794(6) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.679 : 1 : 0.485
Unit Cell V:
649.79 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Bladed crystals, lamellar on {100} and elongated parallel to [001], which are intergrown as radial aggregates about [001] resulting in lustrous, curved {010} faces. The dominant form is {100} with {010} common.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
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Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014535 | Szenicsite | Burns P C (1998) The crystal structure of szenicsite, Cu3MoO4(OH)4 Mineralogical Magazine 62 461-469 |  | 1998 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0014897 | Szenicsite | Stolz J, Armbruster T (1998) X-ray single-crystal structure refinement of szenicsite, Cu3MoO4(OH)4, and its relation to the structure of antlerite, Cu3SO4(OH)4 Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1998 278-288 | 1998 | Jardinera No. 1, Inca de Oro, Atacama, Chile | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.591 Å | (vs) |
| 5.471 Å | (s) |
| 3.754 Å | (s) |
| 3.043 Å | (s) |
| 1.519 Å | (s) |
| 4.599 Å | (m) |
| 2.759 Å | (m) |
| 2.415 Å | (m) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Szenicsite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Dark green bladed crystals, that are intergrown as radial aggregates. Crystals are typically less than 1 cm, but up to 3 x 1 x 0.1 cm. They occur both freestanding in cavities and as fracture fillings. Terminated crystals are extremely rare.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 133734, 133735, 133738, 133739.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A secondary mineral derived from the oxidation of primary bornite and mo1ybdenite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Francis, C.A., Pitman, L.C., and Lange, D.E. (1994) Szenicsite, a new mineral from Tierra Amarilla, Chile. The Mineralogical Record: 25: 76.
Synonyms of Szenicsite
Other Language Names for Szenicsite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 79 photos of Szenicsite associated with Powellite | Ca(MoO4) |
| 21 photos of Szenicsite associated with Molybdenite | MoS2 |
| 8 photos of Szenicsite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Szenicsite associated with Lindgrenite | Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Szenicsite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 2 photos of Szenicsite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.GB. | Wangpuite | K3(PO4)(Mo12O36) |
| 7.GB. | Natromolybdite | Na2MoO4 · 2H2O |
| 7.GB. | Ootannite | Th4+2W6+4O16 · 5H2O |
| 7.GB.05 | Lindgrenite | Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 |
| 7.GB.15 | Cuprotungstite | Cu2(WO4)(OH)2 |
| 7.GB.15 | UM1999-38-WO:CrV | (V, Cr, W, O, H) [V:Cr:W ratio about 2:1:3] |
| 7.GB.15 | Huenite | Cu4(MoO4)3(OH)2 |
| 7.GB.20 | Phyllotungstite | (H2O,M)x(W,Fe)(O,OH)3 · yH2O (M = Ca, Cs, Pb or K) |
| 7.GB.25 | Rankachite | Ca0.5(V4+,V5+)(W6+,Fe3+)2O8(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.GB.30 | Ferrimolybdite | Fe2(MoO4)3 · nH2O |
| 7.GB.35 | Anthoinite | AlWO3(OH)3 |
| 7.GB.35 | Mpororoite | WAlO3(OH)3 · 2(H2O) |
| 7.GB.40 | Obradovicite-KCu | [K2(H2O)17Cu(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] |
| 7.GB.45 | Mendozavilite-NaFe | [Na2(H2O)15Fe3+(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O35(OH)2] |
| 7.GB.45 | Paramendozavilite | [KAl4(H2O)30][Mo12P6Fe3+6O60(OH)13] |
| 7.GB.45 | Obradovicite-NaCu | Na2(H2O)17Cu(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] |
| 7.GB.45 | Obradovicite-NaNa | [Na2(H2O)16Na(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O33(OH)4] |
| 7.GB.50 | Tancaite-(Ce) | FeCe(MoO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.GB.50 | Mendozavilite-NaCu | [Na2(H2O)15Cu(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] |
| 7.GB.50 | Mendozavilite-KCa | [K2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] |
| 7.GB.60 | Peterandresenite | Mn4Nb6O19 · 14H2O |
| 7.GB.60 | Melcherite | Ba2Na2Mg[Nb6O19] · 6H2O |
| 7.GB.60 | Hansesmarkite | Ca2Mn2Nb6O19 · 20H2O |
| 7.GB.65 | Ichnusaite | Th(MoO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 7.GB.70 | Markascherite | Cu3(MoO4)(OH)4 |
| 7.GB.75 | Nuragheite | Th(MoO4)2 · H2O |
| 7.GB.80 | Ophirite | Ca2Mg4[Zn2Mn3+2(H2O)2(Fe3+W9O34)2] · 46H2O |
Fluorescence of Szenicsite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Szenicsite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3862.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Szenicsite
Reference List:
Localities for Szenicsite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Chile (TL) | |
| Francis et al. (1994) +2 other references |
| Mike Scott S102238 fm Cureton #CYN ID ... |
USA | |
| Confirmed by Raman spectroscopy at the ... |
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Jardinera No. 1 Mine, Diego de Almagro, Chañaral Province, Atacama, Chile