Libethenite
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Formula:
Cu2(PO4)(OH)
System:
Orthorhombic
Colour:
Light to dark green, ...
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Hardness:
4
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1823 by August Breithaupt after the type locality - Ľubietová (Libethen in German, Libetbánya in Hungarian), Slovak Republic. Prior to 1919, the locality was in the territory of Hungary.
Polymorph of:
Olivenite Group. Libethenite-Olivenite Series.
Compare zincolibethenite.
Libethenite is a secondary copper phosphate mineral found in the oxidized zone of copper ore deposits. The phosphate is often derived from the weathering of apatite and other rock-forming phosphates such as monazite and xenotime.
A rare case of probable primary libethenite from a greisen deposit is reported by Sejkora et al. (2006).
Compare zincolibethenite.
Libethenite is a secondary copper phosphate mineral found in the oxidized zone of copper ore deposits. The phosphate is often derived from the weathering of apatite and other rock-forming phosphates such as monazite and xenotime.
A rare case of probable primary libethenite from a greisen deposit is reported by Sejkora et al. (2006).
Classification of Libethenite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
7/B.06-10
8.BB.30
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
Dana 7th ed.:
41.6.6.2
41.6.6.2
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : A2(XO4)Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : A2(XO4)Zq
19.2.1
19 : Phosphates
2 : Phosphates of Cu
19 : Phosphates
2 : Phosphates of Cu
Physical Properties of Libethenite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Somewhat greasy on fracture surfaces.
Colour:
Light to dark green, blackish green, olive-green; bluish green to light green in transmitted light.
Streak:
Light green
Hardness (Mohs):
4
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Very indistinct on {100} and {010}.
Very indistinct on {100} and {010}.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
3.97 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.972 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Libethenite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.701 - 1.704 nβ = 1.743 - 1.747 nγ = 1.787 - 1.790
2V:
Measured: 80° to 90°, Calculated: 88°
Birefringence:
0.080
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.086
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
High
Dispersion:
strong r > v
Optical Extinction:
XYZ = bca
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X= Pale yellowish blue
Z= Pale greenish blue
Z= Pale greenish blue
Chemical Properties of Libethenite
Formula:
Cu2(PO4)(OH)
IMA Formula:
Cu2PO4(OH)
Elements listed in formula:
Common Impurities:
As
Crystallography of Libethenite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnnm
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.062(5) Å, b = 8.384(4) Å, c = 5.881(2) Å
β = 90°
β = 90°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.962 : 1 : 0.701
Unit Cell Volume:
V 404.27 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals short prismatic or slightly elongated [100] with wedge-shaped terminations; also equant. {110} vertically grooved or striated, and {011} striated parallel to the edge with {111}.
Twinning:
None observed.
Crystallographic forms of Libethenite
Crystal Atlas:
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Libethenite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Libethenite no.10 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Libethenite no.15 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
www.smorf.nl.
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Edge Lines | Miller Indicies | Axes
Transparency
Opaque | Translucent | Transparent
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Along a-axis | Along b-axis | Along c-axis | Start rotation | Stop rotation
Toggle
Edge Lines | Miller Indicies | Axes
Transparency
Opaque | Translucent | Transparent
View
Along a-axis | Along b-axis | Along c-axis | Start rotation | Stop rotation
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.807 | (80) |
| 4.820 | (100) |
| 4.756 | (70) |
| 3.720 | (50) |
| 2.644 | (40) |
| 2.627 | (60) |
| 2.412 | (30) |
Comments:
ICDD 36-404
Occurrences of Libethenite
Type Occurrence of Libethenite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Polymetallic hydrothermal or deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Relationship of Libethenite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Group:
| Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| Auriacusite | Fe3+Cu2+(AsO4)O |
| Eveite | Mn22+(AsO4)(OH) |
| Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| Zincolibethenite | CuZn(PO4)(OH) |
| Zincolivenite | CuZn(AsO4)(OH) |
Common Associates:
| 8.BB.X | Arsenowagnerite | Mg2(AsO4)F |
| 8.BB.05 | Amblygonite | LiAl(PO4)F |
| 8.BB.05 | Montebrasite | LiAl(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.05 | Tavorite | LiFe3+(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.10 | Triplite | (Mn2+,Fe2+)2(PO4)(F,OH) |
| 8.BB.10 | Zwieselite | (Fe2+,Mn2+)2(PO4)F |
| 8.BB.15 | Sarkinite | Mn22+(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.15 | Triploidite | (Mn2+,Fe2+)2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.15 | Wagnerite | (Mg,Fe2+)2(PO4)F |
| 8.BB.15 | Wolfeite | (Fe2+,Mn2+)2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.15 | Stanĕkite | (Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(PO4)O |
| 8.BB.15 | Joosteite | Mn2+(Mn3+,Fe3+)(PO4)O |
| 8.BB.15 | Hydroxylwagnerite | Mg2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.20 | Holtedahlite | Mg2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.20 | Satterlyite | (Fe2+,Mg,Fe)12(PO4)5(PO3OH)(OH,O)6 |
| 8.BB.25 | Althausite | Mg4(PO4)2(OH,O)(F,☐) |
| 8.BB.30 | Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Eveite | Mn22+(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Zincolibethenite | CuZn(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Zincolivenite | CuZn(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Auriacusite | Fe3+Cu2+(AsO4)O |
| 8.BB.35 | Paradamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.35 | Tarbuttite | Zn2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.40 | Barbosalite | Fe2+Fe23+(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Hentschelite | CuFe23+(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Lazulite | (Mg,Fe2+)Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Scorzalite | Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Wilhelmkleinite | ZnFe23+(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.45 | Trolleite | Al4(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BB.50 | Namibite | Cu(BiO)2(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.55 | Phosphoellenbergerite | (Mg,◻)2Mg12(PO4,PO3OH)6(PO3OH,CO3)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BB.60 | Urusovite | CuAl(AsO4)O |
| 8.BB.65 | Theoparacelsite | Cu3(As2O7)(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.70 | Turanite | Cu5(VO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BB.75 | Stoiberite | Cu5(VO4)2O2 |
| 8.BB.80 | Fingerite | Cu11(VO4)6O2 |
| 8.BB.85 | Averievite | Cu6(VO4)2O2Cl2 |
| 8.BB.90 | Lipscombite | Fe2+Fe23+(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.90 | Richellite | CaFe23+(PO4)2(OH,F)2 |
| 8.BB.90 | Zinclipscombite | ZnFe23+(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 19.2.2 | Cornetite | Cu3(PO4)(OH)3 |
| 19.2.3 | Reichenbachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 19.2.4 | Ludjibaite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 19.2.5 | Pseudomalachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 19.2.6 | Nissonite | Cu2Mg2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 19.2.7 | Zapatalite | Cu3Al4(PO4)3(OH)9 · 4H2O |
| 19.2.8 | Turquoise | Cu(Al,Fe3+)6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 19.2.9 | Sieleckiite | Cu3Al4(PO4)2(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 19.2.10 | Planerite | Al6(PO4)2(HPO4)2(OH)8 · 4 H2O |
| 19.2.11 | Hentschelite | CuFe23+(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 19.2.13 | Chalcosiderite | CuFe63+(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 19.2.14 | Phosphofibrite | (H2O,K)3.5Fe8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 5H2O |
| 41.6.6.3 | Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
Other Names for Libethenite
Name in Other Languages:
Dutch:Libetheniet
Italian:Libethenite
Aferesa
Aferesa
Russian:Либетенит
Simplified Chinese:羟磷铜矿
Slovak:Libethenit
Spanish:Libethenita
Traditional Chinese:羥磷銅石
Other Information
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information:
Readily soluble in acids and ammonia.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
References for Libethenite
Reference List:
Werner (1789) Bergmaennusches Journal, Freiberg (Neues Bergmannische Journal): 382, 385 (as Olivenerz).
Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen: 1036 (as Blättricher Olivenmalachite).
Leonhard, K.C. (1821) Handbuch der Oryktognosie. First edition, Heidelberg: 143 (as Octaedrisches Phosphorkupfer).
Breithaupt, A. (1823) Vollständige Characteristik etc., 1st. ed.: 267.
Beudant, F.S. (1832), Trailé élémentaire de Minéralogie, second edition, 2 volumes: 2: 569 (as Aphérèse).
Des Cloizeaux (1858) Annales des mines: 14: 343.
Mueller (1858) Journal of the Chemical Society, London: 11: 202.
Field (1859) Chemical Gazette or Journal of Practical Chemistry, London: 17: 400.
Debray (1861) Comptes rendus de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 52: 44.
Dana, J.D. (1868) System of Mineralogy, 5th. Edition, New York: 563.
Friedel and Sarasin (1879) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 2: 157.
Schrauf (1880) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 4: 19.
Bergemann (1890) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 104: 190.
Dana, E.S. (1892) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York: 786.
Melczer (1904) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 39: 288.
Goldschmidt, V. (1918) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 5: 149.
Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 100.
Strunz (1936) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 94: 60.
Heritsch (1939) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 102: 1.
Richmond (1940) American Mineralogist: 25: 452.
Guillemin, G. (1956b): Contribution à la minéralogie des arséniates, phosphates et vanadates de cuivre. II. Phosphates et vanadates. Bull. Soc. franç. Minéral. Cristallogr., 79: 219-275.
Rammelsberg, C.F. (1860) Handbuch der Mineralchemie. First edition, Leipzig: 344 (as Pseudo-libethenite).
Canadian Mineralogist (1995): 33: 885-888.
Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2000) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume IV. Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 680pp.: 313.
Sejkora, J., Ondruš, P., Fikar, M., Veselovský, F., Mach, Z., Gabašová, A., Skoda, R. & Beran, P. (2006): Supergene minerals at the Huber stock and Schnöd stock deposits, Krásno ore District, the Slavkovský les area, Czech Republic. Journal of the Czech Geological Society 51, 57-101.
Alexei A. Belik, Hyun-Joo Koo, Myung-Hwan Whangbo, Naohito Tsujii, Pan e Naumov, and Eiji Takayama-Muromachi (2007): Magnetic properties of synthetic libethenite Cu2PO4OH: a new spin-gap System. Inorg. Chem., 46, 8684-8689.
Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen: 1036 (as Blättricher Olivenmalachite).
Leonhard, K.C. (1821) Handbuch der Oryktognosie. First edition, Heidelberg: 143 (as Octaedrisches Phosphorkupfer).
Breithaupt, A. (1823) Vollständige Characteristik etc., 1st. ed.: 267.
Beudant, F.S. (1832), Trailé élémentaire de Minéralogie, second edition, 2 volumes: 2: 569 (as Aphérèse).
Des Cloizeaux (1858) Annales des mines: 14: 343.
Mueller (1858) Journal of the Chemical Society, London: 11: 202.
Field (1859) Chemical Gazette or Journal of Practical Chemistry, London: 17: 400.
Debray (1861) Comptes rendus de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 52: 44.
Dana, J.D. (1868) System of Mineralogy, 5th. Edition, New York: 563.
Friedel and Sarasin (1879) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 2: 157.
Schrauf (1880) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 4: 19.
Bergemann (1890) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 104: 190.
Dana, E.S. (1892) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York: 786.
Melczer (1904) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 39: 288.
Goldschmidt, V. (1918) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 5: 149.
Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 100.
Strunz (1936) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 94: 60.
Heritsch (1939) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 102: 1.
Richmond (1940) American Mineralogist: 25: 452.
Guillemin, G. (1956b): Contribution à la minéralogie des arséniates, phosphates et vanadates de cuivre. II. Phosphates et vanadates. Bull. Soc. franç. Minéral. Cristallogr., 79: 219-275.
Rammelsberg, C.F. (1860) Handbuch der Mineralchemie. First edition, Leipzig: 344 (as Pseudo-libethenite).
Canadian Mineralogist (1995): 33: 885-888.
Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2000) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume IV. Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 680pp.: 313.
Sejkora, J., Ondruš, P., Fikar, M., Veselovský, F., Mach, Z., Gabašová, A., Skoda, R. & Beran, P. (2006): Supergene minerals at the Huber stock and Schnöd stock deposits, Krásno ore District, the Slavkovský les area, Czech Republic. Journal of the Czech Geological Society 51, 57-101.
Alexei A. Belik, Hyun-Joo Koo, Myung-Hwan Whangbo, Naohito Tsujii, Pan e Naumov, and Eiji Takayama-Muromachi (2007): Magnetic properties of synthetic libethenite Cu2PO4OH: a new spin-gap System. Inorg. Chem., 46, 8684-8689.
Internet Links for Libethenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2394.html
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Miguel Vacas Mine, Conceição, Vila Viçosa, Évora District, Portugal