Apachite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Apachite
Formula:
Cu9Si10O29 · 11H2O
Colour:
Blue ("faience-blue")
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.80
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named for the Apache tribe that live in the area of the Christmas Mine.
Note: specimens of acicular dioptase haven been erroneously sold as apachite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
272
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:272:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
b6de8727-6265-41ab-afe3-9b2a690a9d0a
IMA Classification of Apachite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+9Si10O29 · 11H2O
First published:
1980
Classification of Apachite
9.HE.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
H : Unclassified silicates
E : With Cu, Zn
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
H : Unclassified silicates
E : With Cu, Zn
78.4.1.1
78 : Unclassified Silicates
4 :
78 : Unclassified Silicates
4 :
14.2.11
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
2 : Silicates of Cu
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
2 : Silicates 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Apa | 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 Apachite
Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Blue ("faience-blue")
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.80(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.26 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Apachite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.610 nβ = 1.650 nγ = 1.650
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
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:
relatively strong
Optical Extinction:
γ nearly parallel to length, α nearly normal to the smallest dimension.
Comments:
2Vmeasured = very small.
Chemistry of Apachite
Mindat Formula:
Cu9Si10O29 · 11H2O
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Mg,Ca
Crystallography of Apachite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.89 Å, b = 6.05 Å, c = 19.11 Å
β = 90.42°
β = 90.42°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.131 : 1 : 3.159
Unit Cell V:
1,490.24 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
As minute, twisted or curved beaded spherules of radial fibers, composed of crystals; in seams, exhibiting a silky, fibrous structure on broken surfaces.
Comment:
Point Group: n.d; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 12.89 Å | (100) |
| 3.168 Å | (70) |
| 7.663 Å | (50) |
| 10.62 Å | (40) |
| 9.556 Å | (40) |
| 4.491 Å | (40) |
| 4.174 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Type Occurrence of Apachite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Spherules of radial fibers. Crystals are usually minute twisted or curved blades .
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA; The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1980,532.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A retrograde metamorphic or mesogene mineral, formed at the expense of a prograde calc-silicate and sulfide assemblage in tactites.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Cesbron, F.P., Williams, S.A. (1980) Apachite and gilalite, two new copper silicates from Christmas, Arizona. Mineralogical Magazine: 43: 639-641.
Synonyms of Apachite
Other Language Names for Apachite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 14 photos of Apachite associated with Ruizite | Ca2Mn3+2[Si4O11(OH)2](OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 9 photos of Apachite associated with Gilalite | Cu5Si6O17 · 7H2O |
| 1 photo of Apachite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Apachite associated with Shattuckite | Cu5(Si2O6)2(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Apachite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Apachite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.HE.05 | Gilalite | Cu5Si6O17 · 7H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Easily soluble in cold, dilute HNO3 or HCl.
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 Apachite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-272.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Apachite
Reference List:
Cesbron, F. P., Williams, S. A. (1980) Apachite and gilalite, two new copper silicates from Christmas, Arizona. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (329) 639-641 doi:10.1180/minmag.1980.043.329.12
Fleischer, M., Cabri, L. J., Chao, G. Y., Pabst, A. (1980) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 65. 1065-1070
Localities for Apachite
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.
Namibia | |
| Bowell et al. (2013) |
Russia | |
| Palyanova et al. (2018) |
Spain | |
| Abella i Creus (2018) |
USA (TL) | |
| Cesbron et al. (1980) +1 other reference |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
Quick NavTopAbout ApachiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Christmas open pit, Christmas Mine, Christmas, Banner Mining District, Gila County, Arizona, USA