Luddenite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Luddenite
Formula:
Cu2Pb2Si5O14 · 4H2O
Colour:
Translucent nickel green
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
4.45
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Raymond W. Ludden (August 1919 - 1 April 2015) the chief geologist for Western Exploration, Phelps Dodge Corporation.
This page provides mineralogical data about Luddenite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2450
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2450:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
eb126ef8-c751-4b8a-9529-5b58895c0e55
IMA Classification of Luddenite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2Pb2Si5O14 · 14H2O
First published:
1982
Classification of Luddenite
9.HH.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
H : Unclassified silicates
H : With Pb
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
H : Unclassified silicates
H : With Pb
78.7.11.1
78 : Unclassified Silicates
7 :
78 : Unclassified Silicates
7 :
14.13.3
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
13 : Silicates of Pb
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
13 : Silicates of Pb
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 |
---|---|---|
Ldd | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Luddenite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Translucent nickel green
Streak:
Pale nickel green
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
The plane of flattening is a cleavage plane.
The plane of flattening is a cleavage plane.
Density:
4.45 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.98 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Luddenite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.852 nγ = 1.867
2V:
Measured: 40°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.015
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:
Visible
Comments:
gamma=rich emerald green, alpha = beta = yellow green.
Chemistry of Luddenite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2Pb2Si5O14 · 4H2O
Common Impurities:
Ti
Crystallography of Luddenite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.85 Å, b = 20.06 Å, c = 14.72 Å
β = 90.78°
β = 90.78°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.391 : 1 : 0.734
Unit Cell V:
2,317.76 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Grains not exceeding 0.01 mm in size. They form in rosettes or fan-shaped aggregates closely packed together. Where individual grains can be discerned, they are scales or plates with wedge-shaped terminations.
Twinning:
Twinned on a plane normal to the cleavage.
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
7.361 Å | (100) |
3.173 Å | (100) |
2.918 Å | (80) |
5.218 Å | (70) |
4.226 Å | (50) |
3.515 Å | (50) |
3.411 Å | (50) |
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 Luddenite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Microcrystalline, individual grains not exceeding 0.01 mm in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1984,473-474.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized Cu-Zn ores.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Williams, S. A. (1982). Luddenite, a new copper-lead silicate from Arizona. Mineralogical Magazine, 46(340), 363-364.
Synonyms of Luddenite
Other Language Names for Luddenite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Luddenite associated with Wickenburgite | CaPb3Al2Si10O24(OH)6 |
1 photo of Luddenite associated with Linarite | PbCu(SO4)(OH)2 |
1 photo of Luddenite associated with Galena | PbS |
1 photo of Luddenite associated with Alamosite | PbSiO3 |
1 photo of Luddenite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.HH.05 | Macquartite | Cu2Pb7(CrO4)4(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
9.HH.15 | Creaseyite | Pb2Cu2Fe3+2(Si4.67Al0.33)O15.33(OH)3 · H2O |
9.HH.20 | Plumbotsumite | Pb13(CO3)6(Si10O27) · 3H2O |
9.HH.25 | Molybdophyllite | Pb8Mg9[Si10O28(OH)8O2(CO3)3] · H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Luddenite is not easily soluble in acids. Dissolution even in heated 50 % HNO3 was slow. It readily fuses to a runny lemon yellow slag in the closed tube.
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 Luddenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2450.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Luddenite
Localities for Luddenite
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).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| Brandstätter et al. (2010) |
Germany | |
| www.mineralienatlas.de (n.d.) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| |
| Williams (1982) |
| Williams (1982) +1 other reference |
Anthony et al. (1995) |
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Artillery Peak, Artillery Mountains, Mohave County, Arizona, USA