Dolerophanite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Dolerophanite
Formula:
Cu2(SO4)O
Colour:
Dark brown, nearly black; yellow-brown in transmitted light.
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
4.17
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
From the Greek δολερός for "fallacious," and φαιυεσθαι "to appear," since its appearance does not suggest its composition.
This page provides mineralogical data about Dolerophanite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1302
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1302:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
5f4ba90d-5500-487f-9020-c1f6847e96e3
IMA Classification of Dolerophanite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2O(SO4)
First published:
1873
Classification of Dolerophanite
7.BB.20
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
30.2.2.1
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
25.2.5
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dph | 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 Dolerophanite
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Dark brown, nearly black; yellow-brown in transmitted light.
Streak:
Yellowish-brown
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {101}, perfect.
On {101}, perfect.
Density:
4.17 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.16 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured values on artificial crystals.
Optical Data of Dolerophanite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.715 nβ = 1.820 nγ = 1.880
2V:
Measured: 85° , Calculated: 70°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.165
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:
Very High
Dispersion:
r < v
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = –10°.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Dark brown; Y = Brownish yellow; Z = Lemon-yellow.
Chemistry of Dolerophanite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2(SO4)O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Dolerophanite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.370(2) Å, b = 6.319(2) Å, c = 7.639(1) Å
β = 122.34(1)°
β = 122.34(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.483 : 1 : 1.209
Unit Cell V:
382.14 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals commonly elongated [010], and more or less tabular on {101}; small. Faces in the zone [010] commonly striated [010]; other faces smooth and lustrous.
Comment:
synthetic
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014667 | Dolerophanite | Effenberger H (1985) Cu2O(SO4), dolerophanite: Refinement of the crystal structure with a comparison of [OCu(II)4] tetrahedra in inorganic compounds Monatshefte fur Chemie 116 927-931 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.623 Å | (100) |
| 6.443 Å | (50) |
| 2.615 Å | (42) |
| 2.256 Å | (30) |
| 2.776 Å | (21) |
| 2.546 Å | (18) |
| 2.028 Å | (13) |
Comments:
Vesuvius, Italy. Data from Mrose (1961).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Active volcanic fumaroles.
Type Occurrence of Dolerophanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As a sublimate.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Paris, France, 71.124.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Active volcanic fumaroles.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Scacchi, A. (1873) Nuove specie di solfati di rame (Dolerofano). Note Mineralogiche, Memoria Prima, Napoli, Stamperia del Fibreno: 22-29.
Synonyms of Dolerophanite
Other Language Names for Dolerophanite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 17 photos of Dolerophanite associated with Chalcocyanite | CuSO4 |
| 17 photos of Dolerophanite associated with Euchlorine | KNaCu3(SO4)3O |
| 13 photos of Dolerophanite associated with Tenorite | CuO |
| 1 photo of Dolerophanite associated with Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Dolerophanite associated with Fedotovite | K2Cu3(SO4)3O |
| 1 photo of Dolerophanite associated with Bonattite | CuSO4 · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Dolerophanite associated with Anglesite | PbSO4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.BB. | Brumadoite | Cu3(Te6+O4)(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 7.BB. | Iskandarovite | Sb6O7(SO4)2 |
| 7.BB. | Novikovite | (NH4)4Mo6+2Mo5+2O8(SO4)5 |
| 7.BB.10 | Hauckite | Fe3+3(Mg,Mn2+)24Zn18(SO4)4(CO3)2(OH)81 |
| 7.BB.15 | Antlerite | Cu3(SO4)(OH)4 |
| 7.BB.25 | Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 7.BB.25 | Ramaccioniite | Cu4[SeO4](OH)6 |
| 7.BB.30 | Vergasovaite | Cu3(SO4)(MoO4,SO4)O |
| 7.BB.30 | Cupromolybdite | Cu3O(MoO4)2 |
| 7.BB.35 | Klebelsbergite | Sb4O4(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BB.35 | Tavagnascoite | Bi4O4(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BB.40 | Schuetteite | Hg2+3(SO4)O2 |
| 7.BB.45 | Paraotwayite | Ni(OH)2-x(SO4,CO3)0.5x |
| 7.BB.50 | Xocomecatlite | Cu3(TeO4)(OH)4 |
| 7.BB.55 | Pauflerite | (V4+O)SO4 |
| 7.BB.60 | Grandviewite | Cu3Al2(SO4)(OH)10 · H2O |
| 7.BB.65 | Timroseite | Pb2Cu5(TeO6)2(OH)2 |
| 7.BB.70 | Glikinite | Zn3O(SO4)2 |
| 7.BB.80 | Mojaveite | Cu6[Te6+O4(OH)2](OH)7Cl |
| 7.BB.85 | Paratimroseite | Pb2Cu4(TeO6)2(H2O)2 |
Other Information
Notes:
Slowly decomposed by cold water, leaving a blue solution and residue; also decomposed by moist air.
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 Dolerophanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1302.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Dolerophanite
Reference List:
Richmond, Wallace E. (1940) Crystal chemistry of the phosphates, arsenates and vanadates of the type A2XO4(Z) American Mineralogist, 25 (7) 441-479
Richmond, W. E., Wolfe, C. W. (1940) Crystallography of dolerophanite. American Mineralogist, 25 (9) 606-610
Mrose, Mary E. (1961) Vernadskite discredited: pseudomorphs of antlerite after dolerophanite. American Mineralogist, 46 (1-2) 146-154
Kahler, E. (1962) Die Kristallstruktur von Dolerophanit, Cu2O(SO4), ein Beispiel für 5-koordiniertes Kupfer. Die Naturwissenschaften, 49 (13) 298 doi:10.1007/bf00622706
Flügel-Kahler, E. (1963) Die Kristallstruktur von Dolerophanit, Cu2O(SO4) Acta Crystallographica, 16 (10) 1009-1014 doi:10.1107/s0365110x6300267x
Localities for Dolerophanite
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.
DR Congo | |
| Haest et al. (2009) |
Italy (TL) | |
| Note Min. (1873) +3 other references |
| Note Min. (1873) +4 other references | |
Poland | |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD data (W. Sierny specimen) |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Pekov et al. (2015) |
| Vergasova et al. (2000) | |
| Bykova E Y et al. (1998) | |
| Pavel Martynov specimen +1 other reference | |
| Gongalsky et al. (2019) |
USA | |
| Brian Beck Collected |
Quick NavTopAbout DolerophaniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Yadovitaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia