Clinoclase
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Clinoclase
Formula:
Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3
Colour:
Blue, greenish-blue, dark green-black; blue-green in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
4.38
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1830 by August Breithaupt from the Greek κλίυειυ = "to incline" and κλαυ = "to break," in allusion to its oblique basal cleavage.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
This page provides mineralogical data about Clinoclase.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1055
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1055:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
89051b33-e42c-4eda-a43e-27f293bceb3a
IMA Classification of Clinoclase
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Clinoclase
8.BE.20
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1
41.3.1.1
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)3(XO4)Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)3(XO4)Zq
20.1.3
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
1 : Arsenates of Cu
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
1 : Arsenates of Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cno | 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 Clinoclase
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Clinoclase
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Lustre pearly on cleavage surfaces.
Colour:
Blue, greenish-blue, dark green-black; blue-green in transmitted light
Streak:
Bluish green
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}, perfect.
On {001}, perfect.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.38 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.42 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Clinoclase
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.730 nβ = 1.870 nγ = 1.910
2V:
Measured: 30° , Calculated: 52°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.180
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, relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Pale blue-green
Y = b = Light blue green
Z = near a = Benzol green
Y = b = Light blue green
Z = near a = Benzol green
Chemistry of Clinoclase
Mindat Formula:
Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Clinoclase
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.4 Å, b = 6.47 Å, c = 7.27 Å
β = 99.58°
β = 99.58°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.917 : 1 : 1.124
Unit Cell V:
575.12 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals elongated [010] and tabular {001}; also rhombohedral in aspect, or elongated [001] with {100} prominent; grouped into rosettes, as crusts and coatings. Densely aggregated with a fibrous structure at times.
Forms include: {001}, {100}, {110}, {302}, (201}, {111}, {552}, {401}, {972}.
Forms include: {001}, {100}, {110}, {302}, (201}, {111}, {552}, {401}, {972}.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009293 | Clinoclase | Ghose S, Fehlmann M, Sundaralingam M (1965) The crystal structure of clinoclase, Cu3AsO4(OH)3 Acta Crystallographica 18 777-787 |  | 1965 | Majuba Hill, Nevada, USA | 0 | 293 |
| 0010215 | Clinoclase | Eby R K, Hawthorne F C (1990) Clinoclase and the geometry of [5]-coordinate Cu2+ in minerals Acta Crystallographica C46 2291-2294 | | 1990 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.3 Å | (60) |
| 3.55 Å | (100) |
| 2.88 Å | (40) |
| 2.53 Å | (40) |
| 2.49 Å | (40) |
| 2.30 Å | (50) |
| 2.24 Å | (40) |
| 2.10 Å | (40) |
| 2.05 Å | (50) |
| 1.542 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Data from Palache and Berry 1946.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Clinoclase
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Muséum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France, number H5104 and 52.70 (type).
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Clinoclase
Other Language Names for Clinoclase
Catalan:Clinoclasa
German:Klinoklas
Abichit
Aphanesit
Clinoclasit
Klinoklasit
Siderochalcit
Strahlenerz
Strahlenkupfer
Strahlerz
Strahliges Olivenerz
Abichit
Aphanesit
Clinoclasit
Klinoklasit
Siderochalcit
Strahlenerz
Strahlenkupfer
Strahlerz
Strahliges Olivenerz
Italian:Clinoclasio
Portuguese:Clinoclase
Russian:Клиноклаз
Simplified Chinese:光线石
Slovak:Klinoklas
Ukrainian:Кліноклаз
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 183 photos of Clinoclase associated with Cornwallite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 87 photos of Clinoclase associated with Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 44 photos of Clinoclase associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 35 photos of Clinoclase associated with Strashimirite | Cu8(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 33 photos of Clinoclase associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 25 photos of Clinoclase associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 25 photos of Clinoclase associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 17 photos of Clinoclase associated with Cornubite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 15 photos of Clinoclase associated with Liroconite | Cu2Al(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 13 photos of Clinoclase associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BE.05 | Augelite | Al2(PO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.10 | Grattarolaite | Fe3+3(PO4)O3 |
| 8.BE.15 | Cornetite | Cu3(PO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.25 | Arhbarite | Cu2Mg(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.25 | Gilmarite | Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.30 | Allactite | Mn2+7(AsO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.30 | Flinkite | Mn2+2Mn3+(AsO4)(OH)4 |
| 8.BE.30 | Raadeite | Mg7(PO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.30 | Argandite | Mn7(VO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.35 | Chlorophoenicite | (Mn,Mg)3Zn2(AsO4)(OH,O)6 |
| 8.BE.35 | Magnesiochlorophoenicite | (Mg,Mn)3Zn2(AsO4)(OH,O)6 |
| 8.BE.35 | Mineral E (of Dunn, et. al., 1982) | |
| 8.BE.40 | Gerdtremmelite | (Zn,Fe)(Al,Fe)2(AsO4)(OH)5 |
| 8.BE.45 | Dixenite | CuMn2+14Fe2+(SiO4)2(As5+O4)(As3+O3)5(OH)6 |
| 8.BE.45 | Hematolite | (Mn,Mg,Al,Fe3+)15(As5+O4)2(As3+O3)(OH)23 |
| 8.BE.45 | Kraisslite | Zn3(Mn,Mg)25(Fe3+,Al)(As3+O3)2[(Si,As5+)O4]10(OH)16 |
| 8.BE.45 | Mcgovernite | Mn19Zn3(AsO4)3(AsO3)(SiO4)3(OH)21 |
| 8.BE.45 | Arakiite | (Zn,Mn2+)(Mn2+,Mg)12(Fe3+,Al)2(As5+O4)2(As3+O3)(OH)23 |
| 8.BE.45 | Turtmannite | (Mn,Mg)22.5Mg3-3x((V5+,As5+)O4)3(As3+O3)x(SiO4)3O5-5x(OH)20+x |
| 8.BE.45 | Carlfrancisite | Mn2+3(Mn2+,Mg,Fe3+,Al)42[As3+O3]2(As5+O4)4[(Si,As5+)O4]6[(As5+,Si)O4]2(OH)42 |
| 8.BE.50 | Synadelphite | Mn2+9(As5+O4)2(As3+O3)(OH)9 · 2H2O |
| 8.BE.55 | Holdenite | (Mn2+,Mg)6Zn3(AsO4)2(SiO4)(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.60 | Kolicite | Mn2+7Zn4(AsO4)2(SiO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.65 | Sabelliite | (Cu,Zn)2Zn(AsO4,SbO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.70 | Jarosewichite | Mn2+3Mn3+(AsO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BE.75 | Theisite | Cu5Zn5(AsO4,SbO4)2(OH)14 |
| 8.BE.80 | Coparsite | Cu4(AsO4,VO4)O2Cl |
| 8.BE.85 | Waterhouseite | Mn2+7(PO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.90 | Vasilseverginite | Cu9O4(AsO4)2(SO4)2 |
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 Clinoclase
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1055.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Clinoclase
Reference List:
Church, A. H. (1895) A Chemical Study of Some Native Arsenates and Phosphates. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 11 (49) 1-12 doi:10.1180/minmag.1895.011.49.01
Frost, Ray L., Martens, Wayde N., Williams, Peter A. (2002) Raman spectroscopy of the phase-related basic copper arsenate minerals olivenite, cornwallite, cornubite and clinoclase. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 33 (6). 475-484 doi:10.1002/jrs.880
Martens, Wayde N., Frost, Ray L., Kloprogge, J. Theo, Williams, Peter A. (2003) The basic copper arsenate minerals olivenite, cornubite, cornwallite, and clinoclase: An infrared emission and Raman spectroscopic study. American Mineralogist, 88 (4) 501-508 doi:10.2138/am-2003-0404
Localities for Clinoclase
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.
Argentina | |
| American Mineralogist (1982) +1 other reference |
Australia | |
| |
| Crane et al. (2001) +2 other references |
| Day +3 other references |
| Bayliss et al. (1966) +1 other reference |
| Nickel et al. (1993) |
| Mineralogical Record 24 | |
| Min.Record 24 (1993) | |
Austria | |
| Exel (1993) |
| Exel (1993) | |
| C.Auer (2021) | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2023) |
| Arlt et al. (1994) |
Belgium | |
| Hatert et al. (2014) |
| Mélon (1954) +1 other reference |
Bulgaria | |
| Minceva-Stefanova (2001) |
| Minceva-Stefanova (2001) |
Chile | |
| X-ray diffraction probed [Uwe Kolitsch] |
| Samples in the I. Domeyko Museum |
| Uwe Kolitsch collection |
| In the collection of Brent Thorne. ... |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schlüter (Hamburg University) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Lairen Lai and Yi Li (1988) +1 other reference |
Czech Republic | |
| Sejkora et al. (2006) |
| Sejkora (1994) |
DR Congo | |
| Lapis 17 (3) |
France | |
| Hohh (1994) |
| P&T N°23-24 et al. (Haut-Rhin) |
| T. Brunsperger collection. |
| Paul De Bondt collection | |
| Georges Favreau collection | |
| Wittern | |
| Hohh (1994) |
| Wittern et al. (Cologne) |
| Escande et al. (1973) +6 other references |
| ESCANDE et al. (1973) +6 other references | |
| Wittern et al. (Cologne) |
| Forner et al. (1997) |
| Pélisson et al. (1987) |
| Favreau et al. (2003) |
| Caubel (1997) |
| collection bernard bouissac/antoine ... |
| Jean-Marie Claude collection +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Wittern (1995) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1996) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Lapis (10) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Greece | |
| Chollet Pascal photo |
| Skarpelis et al. (2004) |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll-Gatter-Szendrei: Mineral ... |
| |
Ireland | |
| Moreton et al. (2006) |
Italy | |
| Pagano et al. (2001) |
| Redazione (2005) |
| Vergani (2019) +1 other reference |
| Bedognè +2 other references |
| Bortolozzi (n.d.) |
| Stara et al. (1996) | |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Stara et al. (1993) |
Japan | |
| Tokyo University collection |
| Petrov (n.d.) |
| Melvin Machin collection |
| Dr. Yohachiro Okamoto collection (conserved by the Geological Survey of Japan) |
| Minato (1954) |
| Shirose et al. (2011) +1 other reference | |
| Uehara et al. (2014) | |
Mexico | |
| Jean des Rivieres |
| Petet Megaw +1 other reference |
| Megaw (2023) |
Morocco | |
| Jahn et al. (2003) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| JP Barral collection |
Namibia | |
| 62 +4 other references |
Poland | |
| Siuda et al. (2003) |
Portugal | |
| Marques de Sá et al. (2010) |
| |
| Martins da Pedra collection | |
Russia | |
| Nenasheva et al. (2011) |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko |
| Kodě +2 other references | |
| Števko M. |
| Števko M. |
| Sejkora J. |
| Števko M. et al. (2017) |
| Julia Herrmann et al. (2018) | |
| Řídkošil (1981) |
| Martin Števko-unpublished | |
South Africa | |
| Robert O. Meyer collection +1 other reference |
| Min.Rec.:20 (5) | |
| Malcolm Southwood (2002) | |
| Meulenbeld et al. (2014) |
Spain | |
| FAVREAU et al. (2013) |
| José Miguel Sola Fernández and group. |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
| Calvo (2008) |
| J. Gröbner und B. Sainz de Barranda (1999) |
| Joan Abella i Creus (2008) |
| Casanova Honrubia |
UK | |
| Hall (1868) +1 other reference |
| BMS Collection |
| Phillips (1823) +2 other references |
| David Ifold collection | |
| Collins (1871) |
| Rollinson et al. (2017) |
| Phillips (1823) +2 other references |
| Phillips (1823) +1 other reference | |
| Hall (1868) |
| Golley et al. (1995) | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| BMS Collection +1 other reference |
| Rushton (1972) |
USA | |
| Keith (1972) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Bideaux et al. (1960) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Brian Beck Collected | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Kampf et al. (2018) |
| In the collection of Brent Thorne. ... | |
| Dunning et al. (2005) |
| Mineralogical Record 24: 381 |
| Waisman (1992) +1 other reference |
| Rob Lavinsky specimen | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Ameican Mineralogist +2 other references |
| Jensen (1993) | |
| Jensen (1993) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Dunn (1995) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Roberts et al. (1997) |
| Dana 6:1092 +1 other reference |
| Thorne (n.d.) | |
| Rocks & Minerals: 63: 130. +3 other references | |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Min News 8:1 p6-7 +1 other reference |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Thorne (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
| Rick Dalrymple Collection | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
Zimbabwe | |
| Vetter et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
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Tin Stope, Majuba Hill Mine, Antelope Mining District, Pershing County, Nevada, USA