Pseudomalachite
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Formula:
Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4
System:
Monoclinic
Colour:
Blue-green, green, dark ...
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Name:
From the Greek ψευδής for "false" for its similarity to, but not being, malachite.
Polymorph of:
Isostructural with:
The phosphate analogue of Cornwallite.
The monoclinic polymorph of Ludjibaite; a monoclinic variant polymorph of Reichenbachite.
A secondary mineral found in oxidized zones of copper deposits.
The monoclinic polymorph of Ludjibaite; a monoclinic variant polymorph of Reichenbachite.
A secondary mineral found in oxidized zones of copper deposits.
Classification of Pseudomalachite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
7/B.11-20
8.BD.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
Dana 7th ed.:
41.4.3.1
41.4.3.1
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq
19.2.5
19 : Phosphates
2 : Phosphates of Cu
19 : Phosphates
2 : Phosphates of Cu
Physical Properties of Pseudomalachite
Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):
Translucent
Colour:
Blue-green, green, dark green, green-black; green to bluish green in transmitted light.
Streak:
Blue-green
Hardness (Mohs):
4 - 4½
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
Imperfect on the {010}.
Imperfect on the {010}.
Fracture:
Splintery, Conchoidal
Density:
3.6 - 4.34 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.95 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Pseudomalachite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.791 nβ = 1.856 nγ = 1.867
2V:
Measured: 48° , Calculated: 42°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.076
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
r > v perceptible
Chemical Properties of Pseudomalachite
Formula:
Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4
Elements listed in formula:
Crystallography of Pseudomalachite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.47 Å, b = 5.75 Å, c = 17.05 Å
β = 91.06°
β = 91.06°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.777 : 1 : 2.965
Unit Cell Volume:
V 441.14 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Usually occurs as botryoidal crusts; hemispherical aggregates of microscopic crystals; sub-parallel aggregates with a drusy surface. Individual crystals are rare, prismatic [001], usually with uneven faces; small, tabular crystals (Manto Cuba Mine, Chile). Also occurs as reniform, botryoidal or massive with a radial-fibrous structure and concentric banding, the fibers elongated [010]; foliated; microcrystalline or dense; colloform.
Twinning:
On {100}.
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 |
|---|---|
| 4.48 | (10) |
| 3.46 | (5) |
| 2.42 | (6) |
| 2.39 | (8) |
| 2.32 | (5) |
| 2.23 | (5) |
| 1.728 | (5) |
Occurrences of Pseudomalachite
Type Occurrence of Pseudomalachite
Relationship of Pseudomalachite to other Species
Series:
Forms a series with Cornwallite (see here)
Common Associates:
| 8.BD.05 | Cornwallite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.05 | Reichenbachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.10 | Arsenoclasite | Mn52+(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.10 | Gatehouseite | Mn52+(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.15 | Parwelite | Mn102+Sb25+As25+Si2O24 |
| 8.BD.20 | Reppiaite | Mn52+(VO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.25 | Ludjibaite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.30 | Cornubite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 19.2.1 | Libethenite | Cu2PO4(OH) |
| 19.2.2 | Cornetite | Cu3PO4(OH)3 |
| 19.2.3 | Reichenbachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 19.2.4 | Ludjibaite | 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 | CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 19.2.9 | Sieleckiite | Cu3Al4(PO4)2(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 19.2.10 | Planerite | Al6(PO4)2(PO3OH)2(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 19.2.11 | Hentschelite | CuFe23+(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 19.2.13 | Chalcosiderite | CuFe63+(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 19.2.14 | Phosphofibrite | (K0.5(H2O)3)Fe83+(PO4)6(OH)6.5 · 6.5H2O |
Other Names for Pseudomalachite
Name in Other Languages:
German:Ehlit
Kupfer-Diaspor
Kupfer-diaspore
Lunnit
Phosphorchalcit
Phosphorkupfer
Phosphor-kupfererz
Phosphorocalcit
Phosphorochalcit
Phosphorokalzit
Phosphorsaures Kupfer
Phosphorsaures Kupferoxyd
Prasin
Prasin-chalzit
Pseudomalachit
Rhenit
Tagilith
Kupfer-Diaspor
Kupfer-diaspore
Lunnit
Phosphorchalcit
Phosphorkupfer
Phosphor-kupfererz
Phosphorocalcit
Phosphorochalcit
Phosphorokalzit
Phosphorsaures Kupfer
Phosphorsaures Kupferoxyd
Prasin
Prasin-chalzit
Pseudomalachit
Rhenit
Tagilith
Russian:Псевдомалахит
Simplified Chinese:假孔雀石
Spanish:Ehlita
Pseudomalachita
Rhenita
Pseudomalachita
Rhenita
Other Information
Other Information:
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.
References for Pseudomalachite
Reference List:
Wallerius (as Kupfergrün).
Klaproth (1801) Ges. nat. Freunde Berlin, N. Schr.: 3: 304 (as Phosphorsaures Kupfer).
Karsten, D.L.G. (1808) Mineralogische Tabellen, Berlin. second edition: 64, 97 (as Phosphorkupfer).
Haüy, R.J. (1809) Tableau comparative des résultants de la cristallographie et de l’analyse chimique relativement à la classification des minéraux. Paris: 92 (as Cuivre phosphaté).
Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen: 1035.
Glocker, E.F. (1831) Handbuch der Mineralogie, Nürnberg: 847 (as Phosphorocalcit).
Beudant, F.S. (1832), Trailé élémentaire de Minéralogie, second edition, 2 volumes: 2: 570 (as Ypoléime).
Breithaupt, A. (1832) Vollständige Characteristik etc. 2nd. Ed.: 45, 49 (as Ehlit, Prasin, Prasin-chalzit).
Bernhardi in: Glocker, E.F. (1839) Handbuch der Mineralogie, 2nd. edition, Nürnberg: 578 (as Lunnit).
Kühn (1844) Annalen der Chemie, Leipzig (Justus Liebig’s): 51: 125 (as Kupfer-diaspore).
Hermann (1846) Journal für praktische Chemie, Leipzig: 37: 178 (as Dihydrite).
Hermann (1846) Journal für praktische Chemie, Leipzig: 37: 184 (as Tagilith).
Heddle (1855) Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: 10: 39.
Field (1859) Gazzetta chimica italiana, Rome: 17: 225 (as Tagilite).
Breithaupt (1865) Berg.- und hüttenmännisches Zeitung, Freiberg, Leipzig (merged into Glückauf): 24: 301 (as Tagilite).
Schrauf (1880) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 4: 1.
Lacroix, A. (1910) Minéralogie de la France et des ses colonies, Paris. 5 volumes: vol. 4: 433.
Goldschmidt, V. (1918) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 5: 173.
Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 68, 140 (as Tagilite).
Cesàro and Bellière (1922) Société géologique de Belgique, Liége, Annales: 45: 172.
Barth and Berman (1930) Chemie der Erde, Jena: 5: 22.
Hintze, Carl (1933) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1 [4B]: 880, 1093, 1101.
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 799-801.
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.
American Mineralogist (1977): 62: 1042-1048.
American Mineralogist (1981): 66: 176-181.
Braithwaite, R. S. W. and Ryback, G. (1994): Reichenbachite from Cornwall and Portugal. Mineral. Mag., 58, 449-454. [IR distinguishes from pseudomalachite]
Krivovichev, S.V., Zolotarev, A.A., Popova, V.I. (2016): Hydrogen bonding and structural complexity in the Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 polymorphs (pseudomalachite, ludjibaite, reichenbachite): combined experimental and theoretical study. Structural Chemistry, 27, 1715-1723.
Klaproth (1801) Ges. nat. Freunde Berlin, N. Schr.: 3: 304 (as Phosphorsaures Kupfer).
Karsten, D.L.G. (1808) Mineralogische Tabellen, Berlin. second edition: 64, 97 (as Phosphorkupfer).
Haüy, R.J. (1809) Tableau comparative des résultants de la cristallographie et de l’analyse chimique relativement à la classification des minéraux. Paris: 92 (as Cuivre phosphaté).
Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen: 1035.
Glocker, E.F. (1831) Handbuch der Mineralogie, Nürnberg: 847 (as Phosphorocalcit).
Beudant, F.S. (1832), Trailé élémentaire de Minéralogie, second edition, 2 volumes: 2: 570 (as Ypoléime).
Breithaupt, A. (1832) Vollständige Characteristik etc. 2nd. Ed.: 45, 49 (as Ehlit, Prasin, Prasin-chalzit).
Bernhardi in: Glocker, E.F. (1839) Handbuch der Mineralogie, 2nd. edition, Nürnberg: 578 (as Lunnit).
Kühn (1844) Annalen der Chemie, Leipzig (Justus Liebig’s): 51: 125 (as Kupfer-diaspore).
Hermann (1846) Journal für praktische Chemie, Leipzig: 37: 178 (as Dihydrite).
Hermann (1846) Journal für praktische Chemie, Leipzig: 37: 184 (as Tagilith).
Heddle (1855) Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: 10: 39.
Field (1859) Gazzetta chimica italiana, Rome: 17: 225 (as Tagilite).
Breithaupt (1865) Berg.- und hüttenmännisches Zeitung, Freiberg, Leipzig (merged into Glückauf): 24: 301 (as Tagilite).
Schrauf (1880) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 4: 1.
Lacroix, A. (1910) Minéralogie de la France et des ses colonies, Paris. 5 volumes: vol. 4: 433.
Goldschmidt, V. (1918) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 5: 173.
Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 68, 140 (as Tagilite).
Cesàro and Bellière (1922) Société géologique de Belgique, Liége, Annales: 45: 172.
Barth and Berman (1930) Chemie der Erde, Jena: 5: 22.
Hintze, Carl (1933) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1 [4B]: 880, 1093, 1101.
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 799-801.
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.
American Mineralogist (1977): 62: 1042-1048.
American Mineralogist (1981): 66: 176-181.
Braithwaite, R. S. W. and Ryback, G. (1994): Reichenbachite from Cornwall and Portugal. Mineral. Mag., 58, 449-454. [IR distinguishes from pseudomalachite]
Krivovichev, S.V., Zolotarev, A.A., Popova, V.I. (2016): Hydrogen bonding and structural complexity in the Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 polymorphs (pseudomalachite, ludjibaite, reichenbachite): combined experimental and theoretical study. Structural Chemistry, 27, 1715-1723.
Internet Links for Pseudomalachite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3299.html
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Specimens:
The following Pseudomalachite specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com.
Silberbrünnle Mine, Haigerach valley, Gengenbach, Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany