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Chalcomenite

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Baccu Locci Mine, Villaputzu, Cagliari Province, Sardinia, Italy
© Elmar Lackner

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Formula:
CuSeO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Intense blue; pale blue ...
Lustre:VitreousHardness:2 - 2½
Name:From the Greek χαλκος = "copper," and μήυη (for σελήυη) = the "moon."
Dimorph of:Clinochalcomenite
This page provides mineralogical data about Chalcomenite.

Classification of Chalcomenite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/K.06-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.JH.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
H : Selenites without additional anions, with H2O
Dana 7th edition ID:34.2.2.1
Dana 8th edition ID:34.2.2.1

34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
2 : A(XO3)·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:28.1.1

28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
1 : Selenites
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Type Occurrence of Chalcomenite

Type Locality:Cerro de Cacheuta, Sierra de Cacheuta, Mendoza, Argentina
Year of Discovery:1881

Occurrences of Chalcomenite

Geological Setting:Secondary mineral in Cu-Se bearing deposits

Physical Properties of Chalcomenite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Intense blue; pale blue in transmitted light.
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 2½
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):3.35 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.4 g/cm3
Comment:Measured value on Hiaco Mine material.

Crystallography of Chalcomenite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):2 2 2 - Disphenoidal
Space Group:P21 21 21
Cell Parameters:a = 6.67Å, b = 9.19Å, c = 7.38Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.726 : 1 : 0.803
Unit Cell Volume:V 452.37 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals minute, acicular [001]. The prismatic faces are often striated or rounded.

Optical Data of Chalcomenite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.712 nβ = 1.732 nγ = 1.732
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.020

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

Chemical Properties of Chalcomenite

Formula:
CuSeO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Cu, H, O, Se
All elements listed in formula:Cu, H, O, Se

Relationship of Chalcomenite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.JH.10Ahlfeldite
(Ni,Co)SeO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
4.JH.10Clinochalcomenite
CuSeO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
4.JH.10Cobaltomenite
CoSeO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
4.JH.15Mandarinoite
Fe
3+
2
(SeO
 
3
)
 
3
 · 4H
 
2
O
4.JH.20Orlandiite
Pb
 
10
(SeO
 
4
)O
 
7
Cl
 
4
 · H
 
2
O
4.JH.20UM1999-29-SeO:ClCuHPb
Pb
 
4
Cu(SeO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)Cl
 
3
4.JH.25Larisaite
Na(H
 
3
O)(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)O
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
28.1.2Clinochalcomenite
CuSeO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
28.1.3Francisite
Cu
 
3
Bi(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
O
 
2
Cl
28.1.4Sofiite
Zn
 
2
(SeO
 
3
)Cl
 
2
28.1.5Molybdomenite
PbSeO
 
3
28.1.6Haynesite
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
28.1.7Derriksite
Cu
 
4
(UO
 
2
)(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · H
 
2
O
28.1.8Marthozite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
28.1.9Guilleminite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
28.1.10Demesmaekerite
Pb
 
2
Cu
 
5
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(SeO
 
3
)
 
6
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
28.1.11Mandarinoite
Fe
3+
2
(SeO
 
3
)
 
3
 · 4H
 
2
O
28.1.12Cobaltomenite
CoSeO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
28.1.13Ahlfeldite
(Ni,Co)SeO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping):

- +
34.2.2.2Teineite
Cu[TeO
 
3
] · 2H
 
2
O

Other Names for Chalcomenite

Other Languages:
German:Chalcomenit
Chalkomenit
Japanese:カルコメナイト
Russian:Халькоменит
Simplified Chinese:蓝硒铜矿
Spanish:Calcomenita
Chalcomenita

Other Information

Other Information:Soluble in acids.
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 Chalcomenite

Reference List:

- +
Des Cloizeaux and Damour (1881) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 4: 51, 164.

Friedel and Sarasin (1881) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 4: 176, 225.

Dana, E.S. (1892) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York: 980.

Groth, P. (1908) Chemische Krystallographie. Leipzig. 5 volumes: vol. 2: 300.

Goldschmidt, V. (1913) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 2: 132.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 55.

Palache, C. (1937) American Mineralogist: 22: 790, 1123.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Seventh edition, Volume II: 638-639.

Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen: 24: 287-298.

Krivovichev V. G., Tarasevich D. A., Charykova M. V., Britvin S. N., Siydra O. Y., Depmaier W. (2011): Thermodynamics of arsenates, selenites and sulphates in the sulfide ore oxidation zone. V. Chalcomenite and its synthetic analogue, properties and conditions of the forming. Zapiski RMO (Proceedings of the Russian Mineralogical Society) 140, 1-9.

Internet Links for Chalcomenite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Chalcomenite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Chalcomenite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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
     
    • La Rioja
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 639 (as "Sierra de Umango"); Economic Geology (1997) 92, 468-484.; American Mineralogist, 35 (1950), 354 (as "Sierra de Umango")
    Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 639.
    American Mineralogist 35 (1950), 354; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 639; Economic Geology (1997) 92, 468-484.
      • Vinchina Department
    		Recursos Minerales de la Republica Argentina, E. O. Zappettini Ed., Buenos Aires 1999 ISSN 0328-2325
    Sarp, H. & G.Burri, Schweiz. Mineral.Petrogr. Mitt. 67, 219-223(1987)
    No reference listed
      • Sierra de Cacheuta
    		Des Cloizeaux and Damour (1881) Bull. Soc. Fr. Min.: 4: 51, 164; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 639.
    Australia
     
    • Western Australia
      • East Pilbara Shire
        • Rudall River District
    		Nickel, Ernest H. (2002): An Unusual Occurrence of Pd, Pt, Au, Ag, and Hg Mineralisation in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia. Canadian Mineralogist. 40: 419-433.
    Bolivia
     
    • Potosí Department
      • Antonio Quijarro Province
    		[MinRec 21:141]
      • Chayanta Province
        • Pakajake Canyon (Pacajake Canyon)
    		[MinRec 32:476]; Amer.Min.(1969) 54, 1519-1527
    Canada
     
    • Saskatchewan
      • Beaverlodge Region
    		J. Traill (1952) Synthesis and x-ray study of uranium sulphate minerals . American Mineralogist 37:394-406.
          • Beaverlodge Lake
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
          • Melville Lake
            • Eagle shaft area
    		http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/default.aspx?ID=1371
    China
     
    • Hubei Province
      • Enshi Autonomous Prefecture (E'xi Autonomous Prefecture)
        • Enshi Co.
    		Handong Qian, Zhenghua Zhao, Xiang Zheng, Chengyi Lin, Jiahu Zeng, Xuemei Wu, and Wu Chen (2006): Acta Geologica Sinica 80(11), 1706-1710; Hanjie Wen, Carignan, J., Yuzhuo Qiu, and Shirong Liu (2006): Environmental Science and Technology 40(4), 1126-1132
    Czech Republic
     
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Olomouc Region
        • Javorník (Jauernig)
    		Sejkora J., Škoda R., Pauliš P. 2006: Selenium mineralization of the uranium deposit Zálesí, Rychlebské Hory Mts., Czech Republic. Mineralogia Polonica - Special Papers, vol. 28, 196-198
      • Vysočina Region
        • Rožná deposit
    		Pauliš P., Kopecký S., Černý P. 2007: Uranové minerály České Republiky a jejich naleziště. 2. část. (Kutna Hora, issue 2
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Kolwezi District
          • Kolwezi
    		[MinRec 20:280]
    France
     
    • Auvergne
      • Puy-de-Dôme
        • Saint-Amant-Tallende
          • Olloix
    		H. Agrinier and J. Geffroy : "Les Minéraux Séléniés du Point Uranifère de Liauzun-en-Olloix (Puy de Dôme) : Clausthalite, Sélénium Natif, Sélénite de Plomb et Chalcoménite", Bull. Soc. Fr. Minéral. Cristallogr., 1967, XC, N°3, 383-386
    Germany
     
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz
        • Lautenthal
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
        • Ronneburg U deposit
    		T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Ireland
     
    • Co. Kerry
    		Francis, J.G. & Ryback, G. (1987) Mineralogical Mag., 51, 751.
    Italy
     
    • Sardinia
      • Cagliari Province
        • Villaputzu
    		Pasero M. & Perchiazzi N.(1989): Chalcomenite from Baccu Locci, Sardinia, Italy: mineral data and structure refinement. N. Jb. Miner., Mh., H. 12, 551-556 and [AmMin 85:1563]; Campostrini, I. & Gramaccioli, C. M. (2001): Selenium-rich secondary minerals from the Baccu Locci mine (Sardinia, Italy). Neues Jahrbuch fuer Mineralogie, Abhandlungen 177, 37-59.
    Mexico
     
    • Sonora
      • Mun. de Moctezuma
        • Moctezuma
    		In the collection of Brent Thorne.
    Panczner(1987):108-401.
    Sweden
     
    • Östergötland
      • Valdemarsvik
    		Sandström, F. (2007): Skrikerum. Litiofilen 24 (1), 22-38
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • St Just District
          • St Just
            • Botallack
              • Botallack Mine
    		Golley, P. & Williams, R. (1995): Cornish Mineral Reference Manual. Endsleigh Publications (Truro), 104 pp.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Dragoon Mts
          • Middle Pass District
    		[MinRec 11:265]
            • Middlemarch Mine (Missouri Mine; Missouri shaft; Morning Glory shaft)
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 164.
    • Colorado
      • Moffat Co.
        • Skull Creek District (Blue Mountain District)
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • San Miguel Co.
        • Uravan District
    		Self collected by Brent Thorne and EDS and XRD analyzed.
    • Nevada
      • Pershing Co.
        • Antelope District
    		[MinRec 16:63]; Jensen, M. (1993): Update on the mineralogy of the Majuba Hill mine, Pershing County. Mineralogical Record. 24, 171-180.
    • Utah
      • Grand Co.
        • Polar Mesa District (Polar Mesa)
    		Collected by and in the collection of Brent Thorne. EDS confirmed.
      • San Juan Co.
        • La Sal Quadrangle
    		Collected by and in the collection of Brent Thorne.
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