Liroconite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Liroconite
Formula:
Cu2Al(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O
Colour:
Sky-blue to green; light blue to light bluish green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
2.94 - 3.01
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1825 by Wilhelm Karl von Haidinger from the Greek λειρός = pale, and κουία = powder, in allusion to the color of its streak.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2413
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2413:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
a346f2fc-0cd5-47ce-9db7-3362b012bee0
IMA Classification of Liroconite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1801
Classification of Liroconite
8.DF.20
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
F : With only medium-sized cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 > 3:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
F : With only medium-sized cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 > 3:1
42.2.1.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)3(XO4)Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)3(XO4)Zq·xH2O
20.1.13
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lro | 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 Liroconite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Liroconite
Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Sky-blue to green; light blue to light bluish green in transmitted light.
Streak:
Pale blue to pale green
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
On {110} and {011}, indistinct.
On {110} and {011}, indistinct.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
2.94 - 3.01 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.03 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Density varies with the P:As ratio. Calculated value based on P:As = 1:4.
Optical Data of Liroconite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.612(3) nβ = 1.652(3) nγ = 1.675(3)
2V:
Measured: 67° , Calculated: 72°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.063
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Liroconite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2Al(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O
Crystallography of Liroconite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.664(2) Å, b = 7.553(2) Å, c = 9.914(3) Å
β = 91.32°
β = 91.32°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.677 : 1 : 1.313
Unit Cell V:
948.03 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals thin or lenticular [001] with a flat octahedral aspect. The faces of m and e are striated parallel to their intersection edges.
Comment:
Space Group: I2/a
Crystallographic forms of Liroconite
Crystal Atlas:
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Liroconite no.4 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Liroconite no.7 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010249 | Liroconite | Burns P C, Eby R K, Hawthorne F C (1991) Refinement of the structure of liroconite, a heteropolyhedral framework oxysalt mineral Acta Crystallographica C47 916-919 |  | 1991 | Roughton Gill, England | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.46 Å | (10) |
| 5.95 Å | (9) |
| 3.92 Å | (5) |
| 3.01 Å | (10) |
| 2.79 Å | (5) |
| 2.69 Å | (6) |
| 2.21 Å | (5) |
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] |
Geological Setting:
Oxidized zones of copper deposits.
Type Occurrence of Liroconite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Blue bipyramids
Reference:
Bournon, J.L. (1801) Description of the arseniates of copper, and of iron, from the county of Cornwall. Philosophical Transactions: 169-192 (174).
Synonyms of Liroconite
Other Language Names for Liroconite
German:Lirokonit
Chalcophacit
Couphochlorit
Lentulit
Linsenerz
Linsenkupfer
Liroconit
Lirokomalachit
Lirokon-malachit
Chalcophacit
Couphochlorit
Lentulit
Linsenerz
Linsenkupfer
Liroconit
Lirokomalachit
Lirokon-malachit
Russian:Лироконит
Simplified Chinese:水砷铝铜矿
Relationship of Liroconite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 15 photos of Liroconite associated with Clinoclase | Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 14 photos of Liroconite associated with Kernowite | Cu2Fe(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 13 photos of Liroconite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 8 photos of Liroconite associated with Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 7 photos of Liroconite associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 7 photos of Liroconite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 6 photos of Liroconite associated with Strashimirite | Cu8(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 5 photos of Liroconite associated with Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
| 5 photos of Liroconite associated with Wood Copper | |
| 3 photos of Liroconite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DF. | Kernowite | Cu2Fe(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.DF. | Wiperamingaite | NaCaFe3+Al(PO4)F5(OH) · H2O |
| 8.DF.05 | Hotsonite | Al11(SO4)3(PO4)2(OH)21 · 16H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Bolivarite | Al2(PO4)(OH)3 · 4-5H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Evansite | Al3(PO4)(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Liskeardite | [(Al,Fe)32(AsO4)18(OH)42(H2O)22] · 52H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Rosièresite | (Pb, Cu, Al, P, O, H) |
| 8.DF.15 | Rusakovite | (Fe3+,Al)5(VO4,PO4)2(OH)9 · 3H2O |
| 8.DF.25 | Sieleckiite | Cu3Al4(PO4)2(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 8.DF.30 | Chalcophyllite | Cu18Al2(AsO4)4(SO4)3(OH)24 · 36H2O |
| 8.DF.35 | Parnauite | Cu9(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)10 · 7H2O |
| 8.DF.40 | Gladiusite | Fe2(Fe,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O) |
| 8.DF.50 | Forêtite | Cu2Al2(AsO4)(OH,O,H2O)6 |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids.
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 Liroconite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2413.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Liroconite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin Vol. 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.101
Berry, L. G. (1951) Observations on conichalcite, cornwallite, euchroite, liroconite and olivenite. American Mineralogist, 36 (5-6) 484-503
Burns, P. C., Eby, R. K., Hawthorne, F. C. (1991) Refinement of the structure of liroconite, a heteropolyhedral framework oxysalt mineral. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 47 (5) 916-919 doi:10.1107/s0108270190010939
Cook, Robert (2001) Connoisseur's Choice: Liroconite : Gwennap, Cornwall, England. Rocks & Minerals, 76 (6) 404-405 doi:10.1080/00357520109603248
Makreski, Petre, Jovanovski, Stefan, Pejov, Ljupčo, Petruševski, Gjorgji, Ugarković, Sonja, Jovanovski, Gligor (2015) Theoretical and experimental study of the vibrational spectra of liroconite, Cu2Al(AsO4)(OH)4∙4H2O and bayldonite, Cu3Pb[O(AsO3OH)2(OH)2]. Vibrational Spectroscopy, 79. 36-43 doi:10.1016/j.vibspec.2015.04.006
Plumhoff, Alexandra M., Plášil, Jakub, Dachs, Edgar, Benisek, Artur, Sejkora, Jiří, Števko, Martin, Rumsey, Mike S., Majzlan, Juraj, Plumhoff, Alexandra M., Plášil, Jakub, Dachs, Edgar, Benisek, Artur, Sejkora, Jiří, Števko, Martin, Rumsey, Mike S., Majzlan, Juraj (2020) Thermodynamic properties, crystal structure and phase relations of pushcharovskite [Cu(AsO3OH)(H2O) ⋅ 0.5H2O], geminite [Cu(AsO3OH)(H2O)] and liroconite [Cu2Al(AsO4)(OH)4 ⋅ 4H2O]. European Journal of Mineralogy, 32 (3) 285-304 doi:10.5194/ejm-32-285-2020
Localities for Liroconite
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.
Australia | |
| Noble (1983) +1 other reference |
China | |
| the exact locality is currently unknown +2 other references |
| UofA |
France | |
| Valerie GALEA-CLOLUS collection +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Habel et al. (2009) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Ireland | |
| Barry Flannery personal observations of ... |
Russia | |
| Cook (2001) |
| Cook (2001) |
Slovakia | |
| Pauliš |
| Kodě +2 other references |
| Koděra (1986) |
Spain | |
| Mineralogía de la concesión San Rafael |
| issuu.com (n.d.) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| |
| Mason (1976) | |
| Smyth et al. (1864) +1 other reference |
| [Ian Bruce +1 other reference |
| Phillips (1823) +4 other references |
| David Ifold collection | |
| Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society (1870) |
| Rocks & Minerals: 60 (1) +6 other references |
| Dana 6: 853 +2 other references | |
| Hall (1868) +1 other reference |
| Hall (1868) +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Kingsbury (MS1) +1 other reference |
| Stanley et al. (1991) | |
USA | |
| Grant et al. (2005) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| Dunn (1995) |
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